The A Hole Game - Ali's Words

The professional world of football is way different from the nice and friendly atmosphere of an amateur academy. One of the most dreaded aspects of professional football is the agents. They can be a nightmare to deal with. And they’re the reason why I call this the ‘A Hole Game.’ Here’s a story that will explain why.?

I was recently approached by a football agent who was new to the Dubai market. He seemed like a reasonable person who also had some experience playing football. We discussed our project and shared our philosophies and strategies for the development of football players. He offered to help me and brought me a very good player. We agreed to pay for the player’s flights, and accommodation and welcomed him to be a part of our team.?

A week later, I got this random message from the same agent asking about what I wanted to do with the player he brought me. I told him that we have signed him, and he is practicing with the team and seems quite ready. I was taken aback by his response to that. He simply told me that he has an offer for him to play for another country. Now obviously, by principle, if he has signed a contract with our club, any offers thereafter stand irrelevant. But the agent was adamant about removing him from our club. The most astonishing part is that he found nothing wrong with it and couldn't understand why I was so annoyed by his attitude.

It’s ridiculous that we pay for a player’s flights, and accommodation, sign a professional contract with him and now that he is well integrated into the team, the agent simply wants him back for another club at a better salary. This is precisely why agents have a notorious reputation around the world and rightly so.