Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims football is
"living in fear" of a ruling which could throw the transfer market
into turmoil. Andy Webster triggered a loophole in employment laws
when he was allowed to cancel his contract with Hearts in the third
year of his four-year stay, provided he gave enough notice and
moved to a club in a foreign country.
Webster won his case after taking it to the European Court of
Human Rights, and Wenger has major concerns on what the eventual
implications will be.
The Gunners have star players like Cesc Fabregas in talks over
extending their current deals, and the Frenchman admits it is
imperative that the Spain international puts pen to paper.
He told the Sunday Express: "There is a wind of change
blowing through football. It could affect many clubs. We must all
be wary. "We are living in fear at the moment. Who knows what the
future might hold?
"Cesc could leave under the ruling. But I know he loves it here.
It is important also we get him to sign the new deal offered."
The Gunners boss believes that clubs below the Premier League
could be hit harder by players looking to move on for nothing after
three years. He added: "Many in football forget that the 'Webster
Rule' exists. After three years a player can either sign a deal or
go.
"Top clubs might handle this but, at a lower level, it could
ruin them. "Agents at the moment have been reluctant to go into the
Webster ruling. "But it will happen in the same way as the Bosman
ruling. Football is in fear at the moment."