Middle Class opposition to "Conspicious Consumption"

[Fist of Lehmann]

When considering how money has distorted the player transfer market it's important to bear in mind the one other major contributory factor - the 1995 Bosman Ruling.

Prior to this the movement of players was restricted by owning clubs. Forcing a transfer was impossible, because the owning club could refuse to release a players registration even if the contract had expired.

The Bosman Ruling placed the power, and the money, firmly back in the players hands. So after this, with nothing to limit movement, the most sought after players naturally began ending up at the richest clubs. The super rich clubs of the late 90's and noughties are really the first to capitalise on this unrestricted polarisation.

With players now controlling the market, and money now controlling the players, the significance of being able to pay higher wages than anyone else has only been exaggerated.

We're now in something of a vicious circle. The greed of players and their parasitic agents drive up wages, and 'ambitious' clubs willing to pay the premium drive up greed.