MLS players seek significant league restructuring

US Major League Soccer (MLS) players are attempting to restructure the league as part of their contract negotiations. MLS differs from many other international leagues in that the league owns players’ contracts as opposed to individual clubs and so there is no concept of an internal transfer market.

MLSPU, which is the players’ union, is in the process of negotiating with the league on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as the current one ends on Jan 31st 2010. Reuters has reported that Bob Foose, who is the union executive director, is hopeful about working out an agreement by that deadline but is focused on the need for major modifications in the way the league operates. MLS commissioner Don Garber has expressed concerns that a strike or shutout can be harmful to the league. If the deadline is missed for the CBA, there will be a short window of only six weeks prior to the start of the season for working out some contractual arrangement.

FIFPro, the international players association which represents football players from 42 countries, also added its voice to the debate this week. It felt that FIFA, as the international governing body of football, should help in resolving the issue of disconnect between FIFA rules and the way the MLS operates. FIFPro says that in the MLS there are players who do not have a guaranteed contract and some players find their contracts terminated abruptly. MLS’s unquestioned authority and the lack of control players’ feel in their own club placements create a difficult environment for soccer players according to FIFPro. FIFA should enforce its international regulations and codes of behaviour in the US league also.

Garber vehemently disagrees with this reading of the situation and feels that the MLS is in compliance with FIFA rules and regulations.

FIFA issued a statement saying that the organization is not going to interfere in the MLS negotiations.

On Sunday at the MLS Cup final Garber told reporters that while the negotiation process is tough there is serious commitment to creating a deal that will work well for the players and the management. He hopes all this will serve the long-term goal of growing the sport also.