Danish dispute stops play
Friday 20 August 2004
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Brøndby's stadium was one of many grounds left unused this week (empics)
By Peter Bruun
While other European leagues spring into life, football in Denmark has came to a standstill with league players on strike since Tuesday.
Roots of conflict
The roots of the conflict are straightforward but the distance between the opposing sides has proved unbridgeable and a long interruption to the season looms. Negotiations between the Players' Union (Spillerforeningen) and the Association of League Clubs (Divisionsforeningen) collapsed on 12 August, and there has been no contact between the parties since.
'We stand firm'
"We offered several possible solutions, but they were all turned down," said Thomas Christensen, chairman of the Association of League Clubs. "We have no more contributions to make at this instant. We have got a guarantee from all our member clubs that they back us completely in this conflict."
Equally strident
The Players' Union was equally strident. "I suppose the Association of League Clubs will contact us if they come up with something, and we will give them a call if we get a good idea," said chairman Palle Sørensen.
Long-term disagreement
The strike is the result of a disagreement between the two bodies over how to implement FIFA's rules of compensation for clubs losing players under 23 after their contracts expire. The clubs want compensation rules included in standard contracts between players and clubs. The Players' Union is against this, saying it will inhibit the careers of young players.
Six months
Effectively, the Divisionsforeningen wants FIFA rules to be adopted and compensation to be paid but the Spillerforeningen backs the continuation of a separate national agreement. The parties have been discussing the matter for six months with no agreement in sight.
Serious consequences
The strike has serious consequences. The clubs, while not having to pay players, face a serious loss of revenue through television income, gate receipts, food, drink and merchandise sales and, potentially, the loss of support from sponsors. Matches postponed in August will certainly earn less revenue when played in wintry November.
Not being paid
The players, meanwhile, are not getting paid, although the Federation of Danish Trade Unions is paying 75 per cent of their salaries. Players have also had to return their courtesy cars and some must now stump up rent for previously club-paid apartments. Some players may ultimately have no clubs left to return to, with bankruptcies predicted if the dispute carries on for months.
European ambitions
The strike also threatens Danish ambitions in Europe. With FC København already eliminated from the UEFA Champions League, hopes rest on Brøndby IF and Aalborg BK in the UEFA Cup. Both clubs should have a great chances of reaching the first round after Brøndby drew 0-0 at FK Ventspils, while AaB defeated FK Zalgiris 3-1 in Lithuania in qualifying round first-leg ties.
Dispensation request
However, with all their professionals on strike - apart from a handful of foreigners - both clubs will likely pack their squads with youngsters. "We are going to send on our strongest possible lineup, but our chances of winning are zero!" said Brøndby director Per Bjerregaard. AAB sports director Lynge Jacobsen added: "AaB are going to play this match, but we will have to see, what players we can call on."
National team
The conflict has not affected Denmark's senior team, 5-1 winners in Poland this week, as coach Morten Olsen has so many foreign-based players to choose from. New Denmark captain Thomas Helveg said: "We accept the situation and the players' reaction, and just like everybody else we hope that this conflict will end soon." A sentiment that is shared by Denmark's football-starved fans.
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