Random Topics - #1 who owns Alex?

By: Nathan | March 19th, 2007

In between matchdays am just going to pick up on some interesting news of note and other random topics and see what we can find with a little digging on the world wide web machine. At the end of the last round an interesting topic surfaced surrounding the actual registration of PSV’s monster defender Alex (out for the Quarters vs. Liverpool). So here’s what we’ve found about the actual contract.
A. He is technically registered with UEFA as a PSV player, Chelsea’s official statement on the situation reads:
“He [Alex] is a PSV player. His international transfer certificate is held by them and he is registered with them. We have an option to buy him at the end of the season. He is not a Chelsea player and we have no control or influence over his selection.”

UEFA have confirmed that Alex is registered with PSV but details surrounding the deal that brought Alex to Holland and the exact nature of any agreement made between PSV and Chelsea remain a mystery.”

B. Chelsea appear to have paid the transfer fee from Santos, couldn’t secure a work permit in England, and offloaded him PSV with first buy option. Some saying for as little as One Dollar. can anyone point me to the actual contract language?

C. UEFA and even the Dutch league aren’t happy about the arrangement and are looking for the loophole to be closed. I like this thought on transfers in general. “One measure Piat has suggested is that all transfer monies be passed through an independent auditor. “The entirety of the transfer-fee payment must mandatorily leave the buying club to the selling club by means of an international clearing house, maybe Fifa or Uefa or national league or football association perhaps,”.

D. PSV is a nice place to play if you’re a young Brazilian…

A few lingering questions - why didn’t Chelsea sign him and legitimately loan him out to PSV - is there an FA law stating a player must have a work permit to be signed? I don’t see anything in the FIFA rule book. Any info anyone has let me know!