Football Dynasty-Chapter 60: Bosman Challenged The System

Without Jean-Marc Bosman, no player would be a free agent.

In 1990, the Belgian footballer found himself unable to leave RFC Liege even though his contract had expired. The club refused to let him transfer unless it received a transfer fee.

Belgian professional footballer Jean-Marc Bosman wanted to sign a contract with a French club. However his Belgian club blocked his desired move, even though his contract with the club had expired. He began a legal battle which resulted in all professional footballers becoming free agents at the end of their contracts.

As everyone knows, the current football transfer system was based on a rule where clubs could demand a transfer fee for a player even after their contract had ended if the player was moving to a foreign club.

This was an obstacle for Bosman, who wanted to move freely, without being restricted by his former club's demands.

In addition, the Belgian Football Association also refused to allow Bosman to move to Dunkirk unless a transfer fee was paid, as was customary in such transfers. This left Bosman in a difficult situation, unable to join a club of his choice and unable to play football.

Richard had always been someone who looked beyond the present. He had a knack for foreseeing the implications of things before most people even realized their significance.

The Bosman ruling was no exception.

He had already inquired about Adam Lewis avalaibility, a legal expert, to keep a close eye on the situation.

Blackstone Chambers, where Lewis practiced, was certainly happy as long as their bills were paid. But Lewis? The moment he heard about the case, he was thrilled. Without hesitation, he booked a flight straight to Belgium.

The case had begun in 1990, when a relatively unknown Belgian footballer, Jean-Marc Bosman, found himself in a frustrating predicament.

Bosman had been playing for RFC Liège for two years when his contract expired that summer. He wanted to sign with Dunkerque, a French club, but there was a problem.

The club sent the midfielder a new offer, which reduced his salary to 25 percent of his previous income. Bosman of course refused to sign such a contract and was put on the transfer list with a fee of approximately 500,000 euro.

No club showed interest until Bosman approached Dunkerque. The French club came to an agreement with Liege, however the Belgian club had doubts about Dunkerque's solvency and withheld the necessary transfer certificate.

Despite his contract expiring, RFC Liège refused to let him go unless they received a transfer fee and they then suspended Bosman for the entire season.

This was standard practice at the time—or to be exact, the Belgian transfer rules allowed a club to suspend a player if both parties could not agree on a new contract, especially if the player was moving to a foreign team. Clubs could still demand a fee for a player even if their contract had ended.

This was in line with football's transfer rules at the time, which required players moving between clubs in different countries to be subject to a transfer fee, even if their contract had expired.

To make matters worse, the Belgian Football Association backed Liège, refusing to issue the necessary transfer certificate. Effectively, Bosman was trapped—he couldn't move clubs, and he couldn't play football.

This injustice led him to take legal action. Eight days after being suspended from playing, he filed a lawsuit against RFC Liège and the Belgian FA for violating his right to employment and free movement within the European Union.

For Bosman, it was personal. But for the football world, it was about to become historic.

Richard was on a call with Adam Lewis, discussing the case.

"Right now, he is suing UEFA as part of the proceedings. They are the ones responsible for drafting the transfer system rules," Lewis explained.

"UEFA?" Richard was taken aback.

He had assumed Bosman's fight was strictly against RFC Liège and the Belgian FA. But now, UEFA—the governing body of European football—was also in the line of fire. He did not expect Bosman to drag UEFA into it.

"Yes. He argues that the transfer rules and nationality clauses should not apply to him, referring to European labor laws," Lewis continued.

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Richard chuckled. "Did he come up with all this himself?"

"Of course not! Do you think he's Superman or something?" Lewis laughed. "He has a lawyer guiding him."

Richard leaned back, thinking. "How long do you think this case will take?"

"Four or five years, maybe. This isn't just about one player—it's about shaking up an entire system after all."

"Is there any way to speed it up?"

Lewis sighed. "Not really. And I can't directly involve myself in his case."

That made sense. Lewis, as a barrister, had the right to represent clients in court, but the Belgian legal system didn't work like the UK's. In Belgium, all lawyers could represent clients in court—there was no split between barristers and solicitors.

If Lewis forced his way into the case, it could complicate the case or lead to potential ethical conflicts.

"Don't worry," Lewis reassured him. "His lawyer is sharp. I've worked with him before. He's more than capable."

"Still, two heads are better than one. Plus, the Belgian FA and UEFA are on the same side," Richard pointed out.

"Hmm, actually, I don't mind working behind the scenes if the payment is good," Lewis finally admitted. He can work like a solicitor, handling legal matters outside of court.

After all he was very interested in the case himself. That's why he had flown straight to Belgium. However, he hadn't expected to be too late—Bosman had already chosen his lawyer. Now, all he could do was wait and see how the process would unfold.

That was exactly what Richard wanted to hear. "Do it then! We can draw up a contract."

"We'll sort it out later," Lewis replied, his voice hurried. "Gotta go."

The line went dead.

Richard grinned as he put his brick phone back in his pocket. That's when he noticed something.

A beautiful woman stood in front of him, waiting patiently for him to finish his call.

"Sir, this is the McLaren F1 catalog you requested," she said warmly, handing him a sleek brochure.

It was only then that Richard fully remembered. He had come here to buy a car, but he had been so caught up in the Bosman case that he had momentarily forgotten.