The reaction of the Association of Spanish Soccer Players (AFE) after the words of Mateu Alemany regarding the future of Ousmane Dembélé has not been long in coming. As stated by the Blaugrana sports director himself, FC Barcelona’s intention was always to renew the French footballer. But given the continuous refusals and problems to reach an agreement with the 24-year-old footballer’s agents, the Catalans have made a decision: “He must leave immediately.” In statements issued by barça tv, Mateu Alemany hopes “that a transfer will take place before January 30”.
Hence, ahead of the Copa del Rey round of 16 match that the Catalans will play in San Mamés against Athletic Club, theXavi Hernández’s decision has been to leave Dembélé out of the call. That is why, in the statement issued by the AFE, it states that “if this circumstance (not being lined up or summoned) could be understood as pressure to bend their will, and public statements are also made recognizing this type of pressure, we would be facing an illegal action by the company”.
In relation to the situation experienced by the Football Club Barcelona footballer Ousmane Dembélé, the Association of Spanish Footballers wants to express the following: AFE considers that the signing of an employment contract as a professional footballer obliges him to provide his services on behalf of the club following the instructions provided to him.
On the other hand, the club is obliged to pay the agreed wages and allow the provision of services under the same conditions as the rest of its teammates, without there being any type of discrimination or pressure for the athlete to waive their rights. labor.
We understand that the renewal of a contract requires the agreement of the wills of both parties.. Said agreement of wills must be issued freely without there being external conditions that limit or restrict the freedom of contracting of the professional soccer player.
It is true that a professional footballer does not have the right to be lined up or even called up for every match, but rather to be treated under the same conditions as his teammates and to be able to play those matches. But if this circumstance could be understood as a pressure to bend his will, and public statements are also produced recognizing this type of pressure, we would be facing an illegal action by the company.
AFE considers that not reaching an agreement to renew an employment contract does not imply a labor breach, so it cannot have any consequence for the provision of services.
The non-alignment of a soccer player for a period of time without any injury, illness or physical impediment, supposes a devaluation of his image and his sports cache that will negatively affect his future hiring.
At AFE we want this situation to be resolved without the worker’s rights being violated and we remind you that AFE is available to any footballer who may see their labor rights violated as a worker.