SPFL executive takes aim at FIFA over law that helps Rangers | OneFootball

There’s a little bit of hypocrisy going on this morning as an ‘unnamed’ Scottish football executive (which basically means likely a CEO or chairman, (so not Rangers then), has gone to the press and blabbed) has complained about exploitation by English clubs of players north of the border.

The premise is simple; English clubs were barred by the EU in 2020 of just snapping up any promising U18s in Europe – and that this meant they now target players of that age in Scotland more than they did.

Now, the situation here is that via FIFA’s long-standing cross-border rules, any sub-23-year-old who moves between (and inside) England and Scotland and is a homegrown talent can only command their club’s development cost.

This is what Rangers were offering for Aberdeen’s Connor Barron and the Dons were having none of it, demanding more like £1M+, hence the threat of a tribunal (which still hasn’t materialised yet).

Now, the kicker here for this unnamed executive is that Rangers, Celtic, and every other club in Scotland’s top flight has both benefited AND suffered from this law – we have exploited many clubs down south to get big asset players for pennies – Joe Aribo being a famous one for Rangers, Moussa Dembele being one that benefited Celtic.

But this whine today is basically wanting a cake and eating it.

Because of this law, which in many places BENEFITS Scottish clubs, this executive is demanding a side law which comes FROM it be changed because that one hurts Scottish clubs.

AKA English clubs can’t sign youngsters from Europe, so they’re exploiting the cross-border law instead. The one that also benefits Scottish clubs.

Can’t have both sides of the same coin here.

We do get it – Scottish execs want the best for their club and the game in this neck of the woods, and it’s not like English clubs are going to go poor any time soon.

But the overall gripe seems to be that Scottish clubs are losing our best young talent to those south of the border, and the exec wants that changed so that English clubs can sign from Europe again.

Of course, just to be clear, Brexit is the reason they now can’t.

Not sure what good leaving the EU actually did for anyone at all, really.