Cap Rooney's wages? It's too late for Manchester United now

Thu, Mar 27, 08 14:37
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Wayne Rooney: Would WE cope in his situation? (Gettyimages.com)

Each side of the argument for a wage cap has very valid points and Sportingo writer Gerald McLaughlin is not sure if there is a concrete answer.

'It's a very different world in which you are under the microscope every day. Would we like our every move scrutinised, our every act of minor folly spread all over the front pages?'

If life was meant to be equal then we have got it all wrong. Quite rightly, too. If we all earned the same money from different jobs and everything was equal it would be an extremely boring world to live in. It's dog eat dog - always has been, always will be.

Some people make it to the pinnacle of their chosen field and others stop halfway, contented with what they have and what they have achieved. As long as they are happy, then its OK.

To get to the top of the ladder in any profession takes long hours, a gruelling schedule and commitment. In the modern era of football the money is astronomical at the top. If you are good enough and sensible with your money, you will be set for life. It's a short career in comparison to so-called "ordinary jobs". At least that was the argument when players' wages started to become significantly higher than those in any other job.

With the commercial interests, coupled with money from massive television deals and sponsors, football steadily grew into what it is today. Money was to be generated everywhere and agents representing their clients changed the way in which clubs dealt with players.

In the 80s and early 90s it was still the norm for the manager of a club to handle contractual matters. Indeed, even Tony Adams left most of his dealings up to George Graham and his own father.

The vultures were already circling by this point and could see the riches that could be made for footballer and agent. The middle men. Footballers didn't need to concern themselves with such matters as long as their agent received his share.

It's now too late to even consider a cap on wages - the damage (or good) has already been done.

I do believe that the money causes extreme jealousy amongst certain professionals and that can be seen at times on the field of play. But these altercations can also be spotted in offices, commercial kitchens and every other job. That's life.

The majority of people in the developed world are all given a fair crack at the whip. If you're good enough, then you make it. Everyone eventually finds their own level. The opportunities are there. We all sit there at times wishing we could have Wayne Rooney's money and everything with it. Would we cope with it all?

It's a very different world in which you are under the microscope every day. I think you have to be of a certain ilk. Would we like our every move scrutinised, our every act of minor folly spread all over the front pages? Ex-girlfriends or lovers spilling the beans in the tabloids about our sexual prowess (or lack of it)? I'm not so sure I would.

Yes, we can all say that for £100,000 a week we'd put up with that. OK, footballers earn silly money but they worked hard in their chosen field to get where they are. We certainly can't knock them for taking the money.

A cap on players' wages would cause more hassle than its worth. What's been done is done.

If there was a cap on footballers' income, what would be your maximum wage? Post your comments below - or let us have an article of your own.
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Comments
(27/03/2008 16:59)
Another anti utd article, what a suprise
franco mizzi (27/03/2008 17:36)
Hey listen guys this author is writing with plenty of common sense, read th article before passing judgement. I am a manchester United supporter and feel that the author is 100% correct. Putting a cap on wages wont work and is not correct. How would we like it if our wages were capped?? We would not. OK football players at the top level (only) earn silly money but so what good luck to them and we all seem to forget that most of these guys can not carry on with full time university once they turn pro thus leaving them in a very risky scenario as only a handfull (maybe more then a handfull) make it to the very top of the earning tree. The others still have to see what to do after their career is over and what about Arsenal's young Eduardo what happens to him if he can not make a comeback?? I'm sure that Arsenal is an honourable club but would they keep paying him his wages? I think not. Anyway top Formula one drivers and the Elite Tennis Players make more money then footballers. And even though wages in the states are capped one would have to look at the NBA stars contracts, believe me they are awsome.
gerald mclaughlin (27/03/2008 18:13)
for actually reading the article franco.
Essexian76 (29/03/2008 14:15)
to the demands of we the fans that force directors into paying the sort of wages that agents demand for their clients.Its we the fans who demand 'big name signings,look for example the Arsenal supporters, questioning Wenger for not spending big this season?, its us the fans who critisize TV for not playing games at 3 on Saturday, its us the fans who moan about the game not being working class anymore, yet its us the fans who are responsible for the game today, its ills,greed,and success's at the end of the day
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