Qatar Players Association (QPA) Board member has confirmed that QPA has been incorporated to be the defender and protector of players, he indicated in an interview with Alraya sports newspaper that since its incorporation QPA commenced resolving players’ disputes, where it was successful to resolve Mohammed Yasser dispute with Al Kharaitiyat Club yesterday, a case was covered by Alraya sports newspaper the last few days and got resolved completely.
Bilal Mohammed has clarified, in his interview with Alraya sports, that QFA is violating the rules and regulations by issuing circular number 385 by restricting players freedom to transfer if they were offered 40 times their salary.
He added that the circular issued by QFA is violating the players’ human and labour rights in relation to their right to choose their employer, and this violates the international and local laws where the player has a right to choose the employer.
Further, he indicated that the disagreement between QPA and QFA, even though the later supports us, is normal because we are entrusted to defend the players and QFA is entrusted with the whole football sector.
Bilal has rejected the that QPA has only been incorporated to incorporate Qatar sports court and added that the Foundation of Qatar Sports Arbitration could have been incorporated without the players’ association as it happened in neighboring countries.
QPA Board member has expressed his regrets that QFA did not consult QPA in league schedule and he added that we all support the national team in its endeavor to qualify to Russia World Cup but QFA should have consulted QPA.
The first question is where is QPA?
– Since QPA’s incorporation in October 2015, the Board of Directors begun to put a general strategy from which we extract short and long terms goals. QPA commenced its journey to achieve these goals. The duration since QPA got incorporated is short compared to wat was achieved especially in relation players’ registration and dispute resolution support. The nest example for that is Mohammed Yasser case which was resolved in the presence of the competition Department, the Club, the player and QPA.
With all honesty, have QPA got incorporated merely for the incorporation of the sports court?
– The Foundation of Qatar Sports Arbitration could have been established without the need for a players’ association or otherwise set up a committee as the case with the neighboring countries. In addition, the establishment of the court does not require an association but it requires representation without indicating the legal formation of such representation. QPA has been set up to defend and protect players, especially that each member of the football family has an entity representing it except the players, which led QFA to act in dual capacities. The idea came to life after the increasing complains by players and the lack of organized representation.
The famous circular
We never felt that QPA exists until it objected to QFA famous circular which limits players freedom to move clubs in case they were offered 40 times the salary?
– This feeling is derived only because this time we went public with our objection and linking the existence of QPA with the media exposure is the problem. We aim to protect players and resolve their problems thus our work does not require media attention all the time and such disputes between players and clubs are best resolved without the media exposure.
What about QFA circular in relation to the 40 times the salary?
– QPA announced its opinion through Ibrahim Al Ghamin and Abdulaziz Al Sulaiti press release and the President, Salman Al Ansari, has discussed it in his interview at Almajlis show.
What are the grounds for the objection? And where have you reached?
– QPA position is unified and well known, and this circular violates the human and labour rights of the players in relation to their rights to choose their employer. In addition, the circular violates the local and international laws. We hope to reach for a solution with QFA in relation to this circular especially that QFA insists on its position, and we are still negotiating.
QFA ignoring QPA and players’ problems
Do you feel that QFA is ignoring QPA in relation to its decision in relation to players specially Qataris?
– We should be fair, and as I have indicated, QFA supported the incorporation of QPA and their doors are open to us at any time with the support to the extend they can. However, we believe our role requires us to disagree due to the nature of our objectives which is focused on protecting players, whereas their objective is to regulate the whole sector. Thus, interests do not meet always.
What is the solution in your perspective?
– We believe that entering into a memorandum of association with QFA will improve the relationship because it will outline the roles and duties in a transparent and official way.
Another question is where is QPA from the players financial problems and them not getting paid by club?
– QPA has started working with many players to resolve the financial problems through the existing appears system as stipulated by the existing rules and Mohammed Yasser’s case is the best example.
The secrete contracts
Is QPA playing any role to resolve the additional /secrete contract?
– If the contract is executed with the parties will then it’s a valid contract. Currently, we are working to resolve this issue because it represents a major problem for the majority of the players.
Would you consider the competition between clubs to sign players and the increase in their prices to exaggerated amounts healthy?
– What is the criteria to determine whether the amount is exaggerated?! Is it a personal criteria based on an individual opinion or the criteria is the supply and demand equation. If the criteria is individualistic then we will never reach to a satisfactory conclusion because each would have their own criteria. However, if it is based on the free market principals it means that the supply and demand apply.
Akram Afif move abroad
How do you see Akram Afif move to the Spanish team Villarreal?
– Akram’s move is a positive one and I wish him all success, especially that he is one of the best players and we thank Al Sadd Club for granting him such opportunity. Further, we hope that more clubs allow their players to play professional abroad, especially that we know that many clubs rejects offers or ignored them.
The league schedule
There is a request from the national team coach to have the league begin Agust 4th and some clubs are objecting due to their fears that it will impact players’ health, what do you think?
– Unfortunately, QPA has not been consulted and we believe it is important to involve QPA in such discussion in the presence of the clubs to reach the best solution. With the current developments in football and the increase of players’ deaths due to fatigue, it is important to study the negative impacts of such issue and its impact on players. In addition, most players encounter a problem with their annual leave because it is in the holy month of Ramadan, which limits their ability to have a proper vacation with their families. Such issue should be taken into consideration.
Don’t think that the national team interest is an enough base to have the league start in August 4th?
– The national team has the priority and all QPA’s members agree on that. However, it is important for you to know that QPA includes all players locals and international thus such matter is looked at broadly by QPA and considers all affected members whether locals or international. We hope that QFA would discuss this issue to understand QPA’s perspective and find alternatives that accommodate all players.
97% of the players have been registered
– Bilal indicated, at the end, that one of the most significant steps taken by QPA since its incorporation is that it was able to have 97% of QSL players registered and 71% of Qatar Gas league. We are working on completing the registration process and the commencement of implementing our programs and plans as prepared.