12 May 2016 12:57:21
Ed002
Without making it Liverpool-centered (because of the response it would get), when you have a mo' could you explain to us what the formal limits of "tapping-up" are? I can see that a manager speaking to a player directly about a move is banned. (although I can't see why having an agent involved makes it any better), but I imagine that all players when they get together discuss whether they might move, ask questions like "if there were an offer would you be interested" - just in their general banter? is that also illegal? Also, why does this apply to contracts in football (? sport in general? ) but not other jobs in the world?

{Ed002's Note - Clubs or representatives of clubs are not allowed to directly approach any player who is contracted to another football club. They can approach his club and ask for permission to speak to a player and typically that would be agreed on the basis of a commitment to pay a specific fees. Some clubs (typically in old Eastern bloc countries - Russia and Ukraine aside) will give permission based on interest rather than a commitment to buy - and that is because they rely heavily on income from transfers. An example here might be Marko Grujic who had spoken to a number of sides (e.g. Chelsea, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Udinese and Anderlech) with the permission of Red Star Belgrade before speaking with Liverpool. It is excepted that managers will call players they know but they are not allowed to discuss transfers - and everyone knows that. No doubt it happens a lot but the brighter managers or coaches should perhaps not do it with players who are keen to give interviews and discuss the matter (e.g. Zielinski and Goetze). The correct process to follow would be to typically discuss options with the agent of a player before approaching his club.}

1.) 12 May 2016
12 May 2016 18:25:38
Thanks for your time (again) Ed002. (still find it a bit arcane though. why doesn't football behave like other professions where head hunting etc is the norm. is football so unstable that it needs these rules? ) .

{Ed002's Note - Sorry you don't understand. Footballers are contracted to clubs fopr fixed periods of time. Company employees are not.}