Ceiling on fee irk players

Udhagamandalam, March 29: A call by the major club sides of the country to introduce a ceiling on transfer fee for players has come under...

Udhagamandalam, March 29: A call by the major club sides of the country to introduce a ceiling on transfer fee for players has come under fire from the players.

8220;If this is true, it is quite unfortunate and demoralising as far as footballers are concerned,8221; said Carlton Chapman one of the leading midfielders in the country. 8220;It is quite amusing that the same people who had talked loudly about professionalism and more money being pumped into the game three years ago, are behind the new move.8221;

As an immediate effect of the move, almost all the major clubs of the country have reportedly come to a secret deal8217; on remuneration paid to players. Mahindras, who had offered staggering amounts to players a month ago, have changed their mind and reduced the amount offered.

8220;What is professionalism without money?,8221; wonders Chapman, a former Indian captain who plays for East Bengal. 8220;Every club wants its players to play 40 to 45 matches every season, win all the trophies and bring out their best. They areliable to be paid according to their performances.8221;

There are quite a few players who share Chapman8217;s view, though most of them prefer to be anonymous, apparently in fear of the future of their career. 8220;Last year I was paid Rs 8 lakh. This year the same club has offered me Rs 4 lakh only. I have no alternative except to agree to the deal,8221; said one international.

8220;I was offered Rs 25 lakh by Mahindras a few weeks back. Now the same club has lost interest in me and is offering only 8 lakh,8221; added another. Chapman added, 8220;Let them cut our pay if we fare badly. It is not justice to bring curbs on the amounts on a general basis.

8220;The efforts of Indian footballers are often overlooked. There was none to appreciate our gallant performance in the Asiad, which was beyond anybody8217;s imagination. Who would have expected such a good show from a bunch of players whose only foreign exposure in the past few years were the Saarc and SAFF tournaments?8221;

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8220;Baichung Bhutia8217;s case is another instance. The acestriker was called up for trials by the famed Aston Villa. If selected he would have been the first Asian to be honoured so. And it is not a mean thing. Unfortunately, none here were bothered. There were more brickbats than bouquets to him,8221; said a fuming Chapman.