Overage Player Farce - Is It Really For The Good of the Game?
Author: AntoniodaSilva Total views: 13 Word Count: 583
The Beijing Olympics are now a month away including the Under 23's Olympic football tournament to be held at different venues in China. While many people may think otherwise, it is actually a tournament with a lot of history and with a lot of purpose. Firstly, what many people don't know is that the Olympic tournament was the first international football tournament, the World Cup was created afterwards and was largely the result of the success of this Olympic tournament. Secondly, the Olympic tournament provides teams (and fans alike) with a good indication as to how teams are shaping up for the next 2 World Cups.
The establishment of the World Cup led to the Olympic tournament falling in importance and prestige, and this wasn't helped by FIFA deciding to keep the tournament exclusive to amateurs among other restrictions.
Today, the Olympic football tournament is restricted to players under the age of 23, which is ideal given that it fits in well with other FIFA under age tournaments such as the U/20s and U/17s. However, teams are also allowed to include up to 3 overage players in their teams and this is something that many, if not all teams, choose to exploit. This rule is, according to many, including this author, unnecessary and actually prohibitive to the purpose of the football tournament.
I know people will have already started writing their responses to what I've just said, but before they press the "Enter" button, give me the opportunity to clarify my point and reasons behind this.
The rule was put into place at the same time as the under 23 rule in order to give all teams the chance to compete equally, as opposed to the previous rule where only amateurs could participate, and hence the true strength of the international game was not represented. However, this doesn?t address the merits of having overage players at the Olympics. What are the merits of letting teams have them?
If money talks, then the participation of overage players is justified. Such players tend to be well recognised professionals such as Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi and basically guarantee widespread coverage of the tournament, that it wouldn't get otherwise. Apart from the financial side of things, the presence of overage players gives a boost to young players to any team and this could be just what they need to become experienced and confident players. Both players and coaches certainly love the overage player rule.
Notwithstanding, money does talk at FIFA and the decision to include overage players is an indication that the origins and purpose of youth tournaments have been lost. While the tournament may be for players under the age of 23, it is still a youth tournament especially when it is compared to the World Cup Finals.
The fundamental feature of any youth tournament is the idea that it is a once in a lifetime opportunity, meaning that if you don't grab it the first time, you'll never again have the chance to try again. Both the Under 17 and 20 world championships are just like that and all players know they've got one chances to participate in such a tournament. On the other hand, when it comes to the Olympics, players will take the attitude that they will always have the opportunity to play in the tournament regardless of age. This attitude is not one to be encouraged in football. The Olympic tournament is and cannot be treated with such disdain and therefore the overage rule must be condemned to history.
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About the author: Antonio da Silva is one of the chief writers of SportsNewsFootball.com, a leading sports news football website renowned for its daring and critical analysis of the major issues affecting the beloved game of football.
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