The willing players never got a real chance

(published in Slovak Sport Daily)

It’s only right to begin like this: the owner of MŠK Žilina, Mr. Antošík, has done many good things. He built a successful and stable club, salaries were always paid on time, he nurtured players and formed almost fatherly bonds with many of them. Everyone says so.

But we must also continue: the negative impact of the coronavirus has been enormous, even for football, and solidarity among all involved is essential. Still, the explanation for the surprising liquidation of the club doesn’t hold water. Is this process, supposedly aimed at shutting down a club where all that’s needed is to protect the assets, keep the lights on, and pay for heating, truly honest? Or is it simply an attempt to find a special justification to dismiss supposedly ungrateful players who hesitated to accept a “take-it-or-leave-it” offer—and even dared to consult with someone or have representation?

If the owner had genuinely decided to quit football permanently due to the pandemic, everyone would feel sorry. But Žilina’s media statements speak about a desire to continue.

Let’s use an example from life: you have an older, wiser neighbor with whom you’ve had a long, great relationship. He’s helped you, even solved personal problems. Now you want to enter into a legal relationship with him, maybe to buy a piece of garden, but you'd like to first consult a lawyer or advisor to get some insight or propose a joint meeting. Your neighbor replies, “Forget the garden. You don’t trust me? I wanted to deal with you only. Everything’s off. And you know what? I’m moving away. Goodbye.” Absurd? In everyday life or in business, unthinkable. But in professional football? Not so much.

On April 2, we seriously heard from Bago on TA3 TV that the players were given “a few days, maybe hours” to negotiate. Really? Weren’t those hours worth at least one video call to discuss giving up, say, 30 percent of wages during the emergency period, or to spread out the rest in installments, and wait for government support that could help avoid liquidation? The players, supported by the players’ association, were willing to give up part of their salary permanently. They never got the chance.

Many clubs prefer when the weaker side has no representation or independent advice. They’re more willing to push hard. Legally established unions? Just ignore them. Is this acceptable in sports?

Then we play to the lower instincts of some of the general public, whispering about how top footballers could live modestly off two years of pay. True, elite players, both abroad and in Slovakia, don’t earn bad salaries. But how many of those now ranting against the players have ever asked their employer for a salary higher than €4,000—and how many of them succeeded? I hear silence from behind the keyboards now. Oops. Players accepted generous wages from Žilina’s owner willingly. Why do you think that is? They could’ve earned the same or more at half a dozen other clubs, at least in the Czech Republic or Poland. The market worked. Freely.

The consequences? Players and parents of academy prospects will now think twice before joining a club where something like this could happen. Sponsors of Slovak football can’t be thrilled either. The liquidation of MŠK Žilina is bigger than the cases of Myjava or Košice. Even the BBC is interested. Disputes could reach FIFA.

Let’s quote a passage from the Slovak FA’s licensing regulations on financial statements: “They must be based on the assumption that the license applicant will continue operating into the foreseeable future, and it should not be expected that the applicant is heading toward liquidation.” To breach these rules, all it takes is the assumption that the club is heading there—yet Žilina already has been for several days. Will the FA apply the “let the chips fall where they may” principle when granting licenses for the 2020/21 season? Will it take responsibility for ensuring standards are upheld? Even Manchester City was banned from European competitions for lesser violations.

To conclude, three thoughts: Significant public money has gone into professional clubs for youth development and infrastructure—our tax money. Dominik Holec and others: your courage and integrity are commendable. Mr. Antošík, I know you are disillusioned with football. But it’s still not too late to reverse course and negotiate a solution that meets European standards.