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Reposted by Gabriele Marcotti

Archie 🇨🇦 @junkycosmonaut.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Love to see these types of stories with genuine insight rather than the usual transfer gossip and churn

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Whatever the source is, it’s not the RTSP.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Yes, but if he doesn't sign a new deal with a release clause there are risks for him: - he won't get a pay rise - he might end up being frozen out, which means his appeal to potential clubs might diminish - he could get injured

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

That’s what some sports lawyers argue. Others say the opposite. It may take a test case. But would seem obvious that an FA that wants to be part of FIFA has to abide by FIFA laws

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Reposted by Gabriele Marcotti

Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Wrote about how FIFA's Art 17 helps explain Isak's trying to force a move so aggressively. Next June, he can simply walk out, likely for less than half than what NUFC want. What's more, they won't see the money for 18 to 24 months. www.espn.com/soccer/story...

espn.com

The little-known FIFA rule that gives Isak all the leverage over Newcastle

You've probably seen coverage of the Alexander Isak transfer saga, but you are probably far less familiar with a little-known FIFA rule called Article 17. It could be the key to unlocking Isak's futur...

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Very good point. Which may explain why a lot of those guys got extensions. That said, long contracts means residual amortisation still very high

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Maybe. But… 1. If you’re a football club, the only legal recourse is via FIFA and CAS 2. PIF owns a bunch of clubs in Saudi that might actually benefit from this. Not sure they’d prioritise NUFC over those teams

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Not saying he's definitely invoking Art 17 next June. All I'm saying he has leverage thanks to Art 17. If he didn't he'd be mad (or a moron) to take the stance he had.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

I'm not sure they can stop it. But it doesn't need to be a move to LFC to provide the leverage Isak has.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

3. Plus, he'll be a year older. And there's a fair chance he won't have the same kind of season he had last year.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

So AFAIK, LFC haven't confirmed they made an official offer. But it would likely be significantly less because: 1. The criteria for comp isn't based on offers received 2. It's based mostly on residual amortization and years/wages remaining. A year from now that's around 40m in Isak's case.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Well, if that happens (which I doubt it will), clubs will save on transfer fees..

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

And, BTW, I'm not a social media account. I'm a journalist who actually talks to people who work in football, at FIFA and in sports law. Doesn't mean I'm right - or they're right - but don't be a child and talk about "social media accounts".

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Hindsight is always 20/20 so it's easy to say they should have given him a new deal in 2024 after he had such a good season. If you recall, the CEO was unwell, the new DoF, Mitchell, didn't get along with Howe, a lot of stuff went down. And the rules were only changed in January.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Right. And judges have weighed on this matter. And it's pretty clear.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Thing is, already very few players are in this position, with 3 (de facto 4) years on the same contract.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Yikes! Have a good night and sorry to have kept you on this...

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

In its current form, not really. Because it has to be invoked at the end of the season and vast majority of players sign after July 1 in practice it only applies to guys with 4 years on the same deal (3 if they're over 28). Not many fit that bill. Isak is an anomaly.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

As for compensation, there are guidelines. And risk works both ways. What's not in doubt is that the players remaining contract and residual book value are two key considerations. In Isak's case, in a year's time, that will be around £40m total.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

They're an interim measure because the court found the previous laws restricted player movement. If they change, they'll get less restrictive, not more. Legal costs at the DRC and CAS aren't particularly significant when you're talking a 5m transfer, let alone one this large.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Not sure it will. Very few players meet the criteria.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

of players who reach the end of Year 4 on their contracts without renewing is tiny. (Other than some youngsters, I doubt it's more than 10 in the PL) 6. Like I wrote, reality is that this ends with either a move to LFC or, more likely, a new contract with a friendly release clause.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

..will take a hit. That's why they'll have to figure out a transitional period in terms of Financial Stability Rules etc. 5. I don't think this as huge as you imagine. In practice, because vast majority of players sign contracts after July 1 you need 4 seasons on same deal to do it. And the number

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

..18 to 24 months is pretty huge, even if the fee is close to 100m (which it likely won't be since next June he'll have only two years left (amortization/wages). 4. Bosman was supposed to destroy the transfer market too, remember? Obviously when a club's accounting is based on amortization etc you..

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Maybe. But... 1. Does Newcastle want to take that risk? 2. The Diarra judgement pretty much says the comp can't be punitive. And already FIFA are being sued bc these rules are seen as too restrictive towards players, which suggests they won't be punitive. 3. The fact that you don't pay anything for

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

I think you're missing the point. It's not like Liverpool are the only club in the world. If he says "sell me or I'll invoke Article 17 as soon as I can next June" and then signs for, say, Real Madrid or Bayern, how can NUFC possibly argue it was induced?

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Seems that way. Or maybe he just wants his bonuses in case he signs a new deal or doesn't get his move

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

I don't think you're looking at the latest version of the rules, which is this one (the one I linked to in the article) digitalhub.fifa.com/m/696d877ea3...

digitalhub.fifa.com

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Correct. If a club doesn't fulfill its obligations that's a breach with just cause. This concerns a breach without just cause (i.e. NUFC fulfilled their obligations)

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

See point 4 digitalhub.fifa.com/m/74181ed7a6...

digitalhub.fifa.com

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Guess you didn't see tonight's statement? Or notice what has gone on in the past few weeks?

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

...the club filing the complain to prove the Art 17 was induced. Which is far more difficult to do. 2. It doesn't affect the leverage side of things. He can still invoke Art 17 and move to another club in a years' time. And that's the leverage he has: NU's risk of losing him for little+ uncertainty

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Absolutely correct. If a club induces a player to invoke Art 17 and breach his contract, then Art 17 doesn't apply and there are sanctions. However... 1. The interim rules changed the burden of proof. It used to be on the club signing the player to prove they had NOT induce Art 17. Now it's on...

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Bro, I went through all this crap when I posted this on Twitter. Please tell me what I got wrong. Go ahead...

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

espn.com

The little-known FIFA rule that gives Isak all the leverage over Newcastle

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Maybe. But the point he was making is if there are 15 top level centerforwards (who can decide that 10-20 percent), there are probably 4x GK who can do that.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

4. The other is intangibles. How they look, how they command the area, how much confidence they inspire in teammates. That gets very fuzzy very quickly. 5. Only real exception is coaches who demand GK to participate A LOT in build-up + be good with feet. Most these days are good enough though.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

2. So in terms of shot-stopping, you're talking about judging them on maybe 35-40 shots a season. And if you're a good team, it will be less. 3. Inevitably you end up judging them on other stuff. One is mistakes. Fine. And GK mistakes remembered more than those of FWs or MFs.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Corollary to this after speaking to a guy I think is one of smartest folks in football. He made following points: 1. They face 10-12 shots a game, half are off-target. Out of the rest, 80-90 percent are either easy saves for a good keeper or unsaveable.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Donnarumma, Ederson, Maignan... all top 10 GKs, all in prime, all 1 year from free agency w/out much buzz or desire to extend. Doesn't happen with other positions. Feel that - unlike with outfield players - clubs don't see much difference between great + very good www.espn.com/soccer/story...

espn.com

Why are elite goalies like Donnarumma treated differently in the transfer market?

This summer is showing us, again, that being an elite goalkeeper doesn't measure up to other positions when it comes to the transfer window.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

And when judging Wiegman were doing so based on her team’s performances and against her fellow NT coaches. Of course there will be things beyond her control and narratives we don’t know about. That’s par for the course.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

What bugged me (other than your gender assumptions) was the “knowledge” point and the implication that because they have more “knowledge” nobody can question/ctiticize. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

I thought England had the 2nd or 3rd best squad yet I felt they didn’t play particularly well in a number of games (relative to the WC, for example). Part of it may be randomness/variance of tournament football. Part of it may be losing Bright before the Euros.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Thank you for clarifying. Sorry if you felt I was undermining her ability. Please don’t lump all media together. I don’t cover women’s game, so I followed this Euro (like the WC) as a fan.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Exactly my point. Say what you like how you like - eg misrepresent views, speak condescendingly, imply stuff that isn’t true - and the impact it has on others isn’t your problem. And, of course, do it from your anonymous perch. Straight out of X.

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Gabriele Marcotti @marcotti.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Really? Because anonymous trolls being insulting and misrepresenting views is more of an X thing…

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