Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

The transfer window – why are footballers bought and sold, rather than treated as employees?

David De Gea of Manchester United … why can't he just seek employment elsewhere? Photograph: Page Im
David De Gea of Manchester United … why can’t he just seek employment elsewhere? Photograph: Page Images/Rex Shutterstock

As the latest transfer window closes, I wonder why are footballers bought and sold rather than being treated as employees, subject to the usual codes and conditions of service as any other employee? Under such a system, which operates in almost every other field of employment, a footballer would be free to apply for any vacancies that may become available with another employer, and would be subject to a disciplinary process, including verbal and written warnings, which could lead in extreme cases to dismissal, if their conduct or ability did not meet the reasonable expectations of their employer.

David Parish, Selattyn, Oswestry, Shrops

• Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com. Please include name, address and phone number

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.