Victor Moses

[Newcastleclaret93]

https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/organis ... ss-several

"The suspension of a contract as per the paragraphs above will mean that players and coaches will be considered “out of contract” until 30 June 2022 and will therefore be at liberty to sign a contract with another club without facing consequences of any kind."

Yes but they are still employed by the parent club so it’s not as simple as Ian was implying in relation to standard out of contract players

[gandhisflipflop]

I’m confused. Have we tried to sign him?

[RVclaret]

I’m confused. Have we tried to sign him?

Sky reported that the PL have blocked a deal so I’d imagine if that’s the case then yes

[daveisaclaret]

Yes but they are still employed by the parent club so it’s not as simple as Ian was implying in relation to standard out of contract players

It is as simple though, because we would only be signing him until the 30th June.

The deal as reported is 100% fine with FIFA's rules. The Premier League's decision as reported has nothing to do with his contract status.

[Jakubclaret]

Any well functioning well intentioned organisation wouldn’t be entertaining the idea not that I think for any minute that any of the above applies. It just smacks well we are trying to do something that’s impossible but we are trying, bit like trying to park your car on the moon because it’s a spacey cool idea!

[GodIsADeeJay81]

It isn't impossible according to the world governing body...

[claptrappers_union]

Seems fair enough to me

[Jakubclaret]

It isn't impossible according to the world governing body...

We’ll have to see if he turns up then with any stroke of luck he might arrive with orsic.

[Spiral]

It is as simple though, because we would only be signing him until the 30th June.

The deal as reported is 100% fine with FIFA's rules. The Premier League's decision as reported has nothing to do with his contract status.

To add to that, the simplicity is demonstrated and a precedent set by Sheffield Utd signing Uremovic from Kazan under identical conditions. There's the blueprint right there. If our attempt to sign Moses is contestable, then so is Sheffield's with Uremovic. This is nothing more than the PL going into business for itself against the policies of UEFA and FIFA. We as a club should be making this political. We play by the rules to a fault, adhere to FFP, do everything transparently and above board and we get nothing for it. Clubs conspire to form breakaway leagues. Zero material repercussions. Clubs break FFP, the punishments are pathetic. Clubs tap up players, managers, nothing gets done about it. Sponsorship within the sport fuels gambling addiction. We let tyrants launder their money and reputation in our football leagues, and fans protest but nothing of consequence happens. Where's the integrity in all of this?

I hope we aren't letting this slide. Let's find a truth-preserving line of reasoning in all this and discover why for two identical situations, the action of one maintains sporting integrity, and the other does not. We need to rabble rouse in the way pundits like Gary Neville did against the super league. We'll be on our own doing it, obviously, but in the process we might place in the media cycle the hypocrisy we've come to expect of the PL. Kick up a fuss and make a discussion on these contradictions a part of the news agenda for a few days or a week. Make it about the war, not football. Publicly demand explanations why a Championship club is allowed to sign a player with a suspended contract but we are not. Ask the PL if it believes the policy of UEFA and FIFA harms the integrity of football. Ask the PL to take a position on the war and its effect on footballers. Ask the PFA to take a stance. Enlist their support. Ask the PL if, owing to the Uremovic signing, it feels the Championship is competed at to lower standard of integrity than the PL. Force them to talk more. We need to force them to take more of a stance. Ask the sponsors involved with the PL if they agree with the policy of denying grace toward a player fleeing Russia. Make the sponsors take a stance. "No further comment" is unacceptable to us. Let's get dirty for a change. We all could even kick up a fuss as fans. Bring the PL chief executive's name into the media spotlight. His name is Richard Masters. Put pressure on him. Ask questions of him personally. Make them all feel a bit uncomfortable. It might come to nothing but these are the tools we have at our disposable to get what we want. Try to force a u-turn, even if it ends up being in vain. Screw what people think about us. Our reputation (whatever it might be) won't help us on the field. We're not a family club any more. We're a commercial vehicle for our owners. Contact the club and demand it grows a spine.

[wilks_bfc]

We’ll have to see if he turns up then with any stroke of luck he might arrive with orsic.

The Orsic that plays in Croatia??

[bobinho]

I hope (regardless of whether I think Moses can do a job for us-and I don't just for the record) we persue this like a man possessed.

If this was Man City or Liverpool chasing this, what do we think would happen? He’d be there training right now.

[Spiral]

I know what I've posted above sounds like a bit of a manifesto and I don't expect every Burnley fan to agree entirely or at all, but I wonder what kind of presence our officially recognised supporters' groups have on this messageboard (i.e. any posters involved who post on here???), the sentiment of those groups toward Moses's registration being blocked by the PL, and what kind of line of communication those groups have with the club? To me, this is about more than signing Victor Moses (though I concede I'd love to have him here for our run-in), and I find the reason given by the PL to be preposterous in all context. FIFA and UEFA policy recognises Moses as having the status of a free-agent. The PL's position contradicts this. Are our fan groups affiliated with the club able to sound out the club's position on this? Is the club standing up for itself? We have a right to know this as fans.

[Jakubclaret]

The Orsic that plays in Croatia??

Yes to be perfectly precise that same orsic to pretty much all & sundry that alleged it was wrapped up here apart from a few wise heads who decided to ignore Twitter & wait until & if it was confirmed, I’d place VM on that same sort of scale for any imminent likely arrival, like I say let’s wait & see.

[beddie]

I know what I've posted above sounds like a bit of a manifesto and I don't expect every Burnley fan to agree entirely or at all, but I wonder what kind of presence our officially recognised supporters' groups have on this messageboard (i.e. any posters involved who post on here???), the sentiment of those groups toward Moses's registration being blocked by the PL, and what kind of line of communication those groups have with the club? To me, this is about more than signing Victor Moses (though I concede I'd love to have him here for our run-in), and I find the reason given by the PL to be preposterous in all context. FIFA and UEFA policy recognises Moses as having the status of a free-agent. The PL's position contradicts this. Are our fan groups affiliated with the club able to sound out the club's position on this? Is the club standing up for itself? We have a right to know this as fans.

Absolutely agree that’s why I would expect BFC to challenge this via their lawyers, put pressure on Masters and get it out there in the media.

[TheFamilyCat]

Just because FIFA and UEFA have made it possible, surely each league can make its own rules on whether to allow it. The Bundesliga and La Liga aren't allowing it.

Did the PL state their position when FIFA/UEFA announced the window or have they just waited until a club has tried to make a signing? Presumably the latter or we would never have pursued it.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Just because FIFA and UEFA have made it possible, surely each league can make its own rules on whether to allow it. The Bundesliga and La Liga aren't allowing it.

Did the PL state their position when FIFA/UEFA announced the window or have they just waited until a club has tried to make a signing? Presumably the latter or we would never have pursued it.

The PL made it clear they were not allowing it before we showed interest.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prem ... -qt0ts55mm

[TheFamilyCat]

The PL made it clear they were not allowing it before we showed interest.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prem ... -qt0ts55mm

I'd missed that. Makes me wonder why we tried it then.

[IanMcL]

Prem sticking one on lil ol Burnley.

[Swizzlestick]

I'd missed that. Makes me wonder why we tried it then.

Can only think they saw Sheffield United signing the lad from Rubin Kazan and decided to ‘test the waters’.

[Newcastleclaret93]

[*]

I'd missed that. Makes me wonder why we tried it then.

I assume they were just chancing there arm knowing it was highly unlikely it was going to happen.

[NewClaret]

The PL made it clear they were not allowing it before we showed interest.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prem ... -qt0ts55mm

Think that’s fair enough if it was communicated from the outset then. But that article was only published a few days ago, so maybe after we’d made our application?

Feel a bit better knowing the Germans and Italians have taken the same position.

[Swizzlestick]

Clubs in France and Turkey are allowing it. I’m surprised we aren’t. It’s not like any one club will be receiving preferential treatment and there should be more pathways for players to get back playing again asap as Russian/Ukrainian football is going to be affected for a very long time.

[THEWELLERNUT70]

For what it's worth I think this decision is pathetic from an organization who wouldn't know what integrity was if it jumped up and took a chunk out of their ar5es.

Any club in the PL could put in an application for any eligible player in this situation, it isn't just a Burnley situation ffs.

How about those clubs that stretched the COVID protocols to breaking point to get games called off, who subsequently signed players in the transfer window, who are now eligible to play in the rearranged fixtures?

Sporting integrity, yeah rety o

[dougcollins]

Unfortunately for us, the only people who think this isn't the right thing to do are the PL exec.

[boyyanno]

I don't get why anyone is annoyed by this. He's not a free agent and it wouldn't be allowed at any other time. As long as the Premier league doesn't allow any other clubs to do the same then there's no bias at all.

We have had multiple windows to sign a RM and a CM, but no the Premier League is sticking one on us for not letting us sign a player from another club in March? Take your Claret tinted specs off.

[Spiral]

I don't get why anyone is annoyed by this. He's not a free agent and it wouldn't be allowed at any other time. As long as the Premier league doesn't allow any other clubs to do the same then there's no bias at all.

We have had multiple windows to sign a RM and a CM, but no the Premier League is sticking one on us for not letting us sign a player from another club in March? Take your Claret tinted specs off.

That's a dense take, I'm sorry, and it has nothing to do with claret-tinted glasses. You need to read the link to the FIFA statement posted further up the thread. UEFA is in step with FIFA on this.

From the guidelines:

Furthermore, in order to provide flexibility to players whose registration was with the UAF (Ukrainian football association) or the FUR (Russian football association) and who have left or may be intending to leave the territory of Ukraine or Russia as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, foreign players whose previous registration was with the UAF or the FUR will be allowed to be registered even if the registration period is closed at the association of the club with which they conclude a new contract.

In order for this exception to be applicable and to protect the integrity of competitions, the registration with the new club needs to occur before or on 7 April 2022.

To further protect the integrity of competitions, clubs are entitled to register a maximum of two players who have benefited from the exception.

Literally the only thing stopping us from signing Moses is the whim of the Premier League. If you can't obviously see how the PL acting on whims which contradict explicitly stated guidelines of FIFA is a problem then I don't think there's any sentence that can be uttered which will make you understand. I just hope the club are not so submissive. We have a week and a bit to make a stink. I'll be disappointed if we just roll over and accept this decision.

[Spiral]

We are bound to end up missing out on signing Moses to another league, even the Championship in theory. How can anyone be so blasé about the PL's decision?

[Newcastleclaret93]

That's a dense take, I'm sorry, and it has nothing to do with claret-tinted glasses. You need to read the link to the FIFA statement posted further up the thread. UEFA is in step with FIFA on this.

From the guidelines:

Furthermore, in order to provide flexibility to players whose registration was with the UAF (Ukrainian football association) or the FUR (Russian football association) and who have left or may be intending to leave the territory of Ukraine or Russia as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, foreign players whose previous registration was with the UAF or the FUR will be allowed to be registered even if the registration period is closed at the association of the club with which they conclude a new contract.

In order for this exception to be applicable and to protect the integrity of competitions, the registration with the new club needs to occur before or on 7 April 2022.

To further protect the integrity of competitions, clubs are entitled to register a maximum of two players who have benefited from the exception.

Literally the only thing stopping us from signing Moses is the whim of the Premier League. If you can't obviously see how the PL acting on whims which contradict explicitly stated guidelines of FIFA is a problem then I don't think there's any sentence that can be uttered which will make you understand. I just hope the club are not so submissive. We have a week and a bit to make a stink. I'll be disappointed if we just roll over and accept this decision.

It’s not just the premier league though? Three of the top 5 leagues in world football have come out said they won’t accept signings outside of the transfer window.

Very much claret tinted glasses. Let’s say Watford sign Malcom and Texiera, then as a result we are relegated along with Everton. How is that possibly fair given all clubs have already just had a legitimate transfer window to sign players.

If we get away with it and somehow manage to sign Moses, that’s great but let’s not pretend like this doesn’t affect the integrity of the league.

[Spiral]

It’s not just the premier league though? Three of the top 5 leagues in world football have come out said they won’t accept signings outside of the transfer window.

Very much claret tinted glasses. Let’s say Watford sign Malcom and Texiera, then as a result we are relegated along with Everton. How is that possibly fair given all clubs have already just had a legitimate transfer window to sign players.

If we get away with it and somehow manage to sign Moses, that’s great but let’s not pretend like this doesn’t affect the integrity of the league.

It has been reported that La Liga is allowing registration, so your first sentence is inaccurate. But that's besides the point, because an appeal to the behaviour of other league is irrelevant when football's governing body is sanctioning exceptional changes to the rules around registration. With that said, the league most inextricably tied to the PL — the Championship — is allowing registration of players from Russia. This contradiction is justification enough to make a challenge.

The particulars of who might sign whom and the consequences on clubs' fortunes are no different than during any transfer window because, as in standard registration periods, the marketplace is open to all. That Arsenal, for example, might find no value in shopping in the Russian league during this exceptional period is no different to them looking at their squad in January and saying, "we're happy with our squad, we won't be signing anyone this month." Is the integrity of the league compromised when Spurs then go and strengthen their squad during that period? If you can't afford a player whom another club then goes and signs, this distorts the power balances in the league, does it not? If your argument is to be reduced to, "players can improve squads" I'd say...erm...yes, that's the point. This is why we made an effort to register Moses.

Demonstrate to me in a way that follows logically that an exceptionally governed marketplace sanctioned by FIFA produces effects on competition in a way that is different from more general marketplaces open in the summer and January. The only argument I can see being made is that we might want to take advantage of this exceptional registration period where other clubs might not, but if it follows that this has a damaging effect on the tournament's integrity, then it must follow that this is true of other transfer windows where clubs decide to strengthen their squad or to not.

[Newcastleclaret93]

It has been reported that La Liga is allowing registration, so your first sentence is inaccurate. But that's besides the point, because an appeal to the behaviour of other league is irrelevant when football's governing body is sanctioning exceptional changes to the rules around registration. With that said, the league most inextricably tied to the PL — the Championship — is allowing registration of players from Russia. This contradiction is justification enough to make a challenge.

The particulars of who might sign whom and the consequences on clubs' fortunes are no different than during any transfer window because, as in standard registration periods, the marketplace is open to all. That Arsenal, for example, might find no value in shopping in the Russian league during this exceptional period is no different to them looking at their squad in January and saying, "we're happy with our squad, we won't be signing anyone this month." Is the integrity of the league compromised when Spurs then go and strengthen their squad during that period? If you can't afford a player whom another club then goes and signs, this distorts the power balances in the league, does it not? If your argument is to be reduced to, "players can improve squads" I'd say...erm...yes, that's the point. This is why we made an effort to register Moses.

Demonstrate to me in a way that follows logically that an exceptionally governed marketplace sanctioned by FIFA produces effects on competition in a way that is different from more general marketplaces open in the summer and January. The only argument I can see being made is that we might want to take advantage of this exceptional registration period where other clubs might not, but if it follows that this has a damaging effect on the tournament's integrity, then it must follow that this is true of other transfer windows where clubs decide to strengthen their squad or to not.

I literally shared a link earlier that demonstrates the Italian, German and English all rejected the proposal and said they wouldn’t accept any signings. So yes Three of the top 5 leagues in world football have gone against it.

Spiral you are so biased you can’t even see how this affects the integrity. This does only effect certain clubs because the russian leagues etc… are low quality leagues. So the likes of The top half of the table are unlikely to want any of there talent where as we will as we are struggling.

Next I believe we would particularly benefit from it as we are one of the clubs in the league that has got Space in there 25 man squad to allow the player to be registered. (Not sure if the ins and outs of this but I imagine if a club has registered 25 players they can’t just swap them out).

[Spiral]

I apologise for the first sentence in the above post. I've completely misread the first part of your post, Newcastle. You are right that it's three of the top five leagues who have blocked this. I skim-read it and misread you as saying all five top leagues. Sorry for that.

edit-just posted this while you were typing.

[Spiral]

Spiral you are so biased you can’t even see how this affects the integrity. This does only effect certain clubs because the russian leagues etc… are low quality leagues. So the likes of The top half of the table are unlikely to want any of there talent where as we will as we are struggling.

I've explained above why this is no coherent argument against allowing Moses to register.

You also need to consider proportionality. This is in the context of a war, don't forget.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I've explained above why this is no coherent argument against allowing Moses to register.

You also need to consider proportionality. This is in the context of a war, don't forget.

I think if there contracts were completely ripped up not one person would argue with this. However, because this is only a temporary signing that in reality only benefits very few clubs in league. I think it’s not fair on everyone.

if it goes ahead it’s great news for us. However, if one our rivals benefitted from this I would be fuming.

[Spiral]

To end, I'll agree with you with respect of my biases, I'm partisan as you could be on this. I fail to see how any Burnley fan cannot be. I'm so far beyond propriety and respectability in modern football because the game is bereft of it. It's a disgusting game. We need to stand up for ourselves.

[Spiral]

I think if there contracts were completely ripped up not one person would argue with this. However, because this is only a temporary signing that in reality only benefits very few clubs in league. I think it’s not fair on everyone.

I know I said "to end" in my last post (sorry for not sticking to my word), but you've essentially made a case against loan signings and short-term free agent contracts such as Eriksen signing for Brentford. This is what I mean when I say the arguments being made by fans (and it's just fans, because the PL aren't elaborating, instead hiding behind the phrase 'competition integrity') — those arguments seem superficially sound but are incoherent when thought about seriously.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Integrity went out the window when City were allowed to sign a keeper on an emergency loan despite having some at the club who were fine to play, back in 2010/11, so let's not claim integrity needs protecting

[Middle-agedClaret]

Prem out of order. The player is a free agent, technically and like free agents, entitled to work in his home country.

Employment law should overrule prem ad hoc decision making.

If any of the top teams, there would be a different reaction, as we all know.Home country - that would be Nigeria then

[Spiral]

Oh come off it you bigot. The lad came to the UK when he was a child. He was granted asylum after both his parents were murdered in some religious riot. He's Nigerian, but his home is the UK. It's where his family is settled. England is his home country.

[TheFamilyCat]

I think if there contracts were completely ripped up not one person would argue with this. However, because this is only a temporary signing that in reality only benefits very few clubs in league. I think it’s not fair on everyone.

if it goes ahead it’s great news for us. However, if one our rivals benefitted from this I would be fuming.

The option to use the window to sign players is open to all clubd so I don't think any club is advantaged or disadvantaged. It is up to each whether they decide to use the option.

I'm not sure why this is still being argued though. The PL decided against allowing clubs to use the window (rightly or wrongly, but that's a different argument). The "PL block Burnley" headlines are a bit misleading as they imply that a decision has been made on an individual case.

[boyyanno]

That's a dense take, I'm sorry, and it has nothing to do with claret-tinted glasses. You need to read the link to the FIFA statement posted further up the thread. UEFA is in step with FIFA on this.

From the guidelines:

Furthermore, in order to provide flexibility to players whose registration was with the UAF (Ukrainian football association) or the FUR (Russian football association) and who have left or may be intending to leave the territory of Ukraine or Russia as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, foreign players whose previous registration was with the UAF or the FUR will be allowed to be registered even if the registration period is closed at the association of the club with which they conclude a new contract.

In order for this exception to be applicable and to protect the integrity of competitions, the registration with the new club needs to occur before or on 7 April 2022.

To further protect the integrity of competitions, clubs are entitled to register a maximum of two players who have benefited from the exception.

Literally the only thing stopping us from signing Moses is the whim of the Premier League. If you can't obviously see how the PL acting on whims which contradict explicitly stated guidelines of FIFA is a problem then I don't think there's any sentence that can be uttered which will make you understand. I just hope the club are not so submissive. We have a week and a bit to make a stink. I'll be disappointed if we just roll over and accept this decision.

Dense? You haven't even read my post you nutter.

My post was clearly in response to the posters saying it was Unfair to Burnley- which it isn't. There is no bias or unfairness if the Premier league doesn't allow clubs to sign these players.

You can debate if the Premier league are wrong or right to do so in light of the war all you want but that is literally nothing to do with what I've said....

[Jakubclaret]

Oh come off it you bigot. The lad came to the UK when he was a child. He was granted asylum after both his parents were murdered in some religious riot. He's Nigerian, but his home is the UK. It's where his family is settled. England is his home country.

It’s entirely his own choice where he feels he belongs it’s not down to you or me or anybody else to say England is his own country he might personally feel Nigeria is, we shouldn’t be trying to speak for somebody else or try to conclude on their behalf.

[Spiral]

It’s entirely his own choice where he feels he belongs it’s not down to you or me or anybody else to say England is his own country he might personally feel Nigeria is, we shouldn’t be trying to speak for somebody else or try to conclude on their behalf.

Take that up with Middle-agedClaret, then.

[Cubanforever]

If we have a Pope and Moses how can we fail to stay up...hope it happens

[Jakubclaret]

Take that up with Middle-agedClaret, then.

I don’t agree with either of you to be fair because you are both trying to speak on his behalf on deciding where he belongs without even personally knowing him. Nobody on this forum even knows him well enough to make judgments like that, it’s possible to escape a war torn country & settle somewhere else but to consider the place where you originated from your home, whether he feels like that I don’t know nobody knows apart from him.

[Spiral]

You can debate if the Premier league are wrong or right to do so in light of the war all you want but that is literally nothing to do with what I've said....

That's precisely what I'm debating. Nowhere have I stated Burnley is being uniquely opposed. You said it wouldn't be allowed to happen at any other time, which is a line of reasoning I contest because it doesn't relate to the current situation, where it is allowed. It is true and goes without saying that we can't sign players outside of transfer windows any other time, but because of FIFA's explicitly stated policy to allow registration of foreign players with suspended contracts in Russia and Ukraine, it is allowed during this time, so why are we being blocked? The reason is this: the only thing stopping us from registering Victor Moses is the arbitrary whim of the PL not to allow players caught up in the war situation a place to play and be paid. I don't know how many times I need to reiterate these points before the penny drops with some on here that just because the PL says a thing, it doesn't necessarily mean it's right. The PL's attitude toward this is little more than, "because I said so".

[Spiral]

I don’t agree with either of you to be fair because you are both trying to speak on his behalf on deciding where he belongs without even personally knowing him. Nobody on this forum even knows him well enough to make judgments like that, it’s possible to escape a war torn country & settle somewhere else but to consider the place where you originated from your home, whether he feels like that I don’t know nobody knows apart from him.

Well I was clapping back at a thinly-veiled "he's a bloody foreigner" type of post, but you do you, Jakub. You carry on speaking and saying nothing.

[Jakubclaret]

Well I was clapping back at a thinly-veiled "he's a bloody foreigner" type of post, but you do you, Jakub. You carry on speaking and saying nothing.

I’m not the 1 claiming where his home should be or where he’s at the happiest, my simple claim stems from nobody knows apart from him.

[boyyanno]

That's precisely what I'm debating. Nowhere have I stated Burnley is being uniquely opposed. You said it wouldn't be allowed to happen at any other time, which is a line of reasoning I contest because it doesn't relate to the current situation, where it is allowed. It is true and goes without saying that we can't sign players outside of transfer windows any other time, but because of FIFA's explicitly stated policy to allow registration of foreign players with suspended contracts in Russia and Ukraine, it is allowed during this time, so why are we being blocked? The reason is this: the only thing stopping us from registering Victor Moses is the arbitrary whim of the PL not to allow players caught up in the war situation a place to play and be paid. I don't know how many times I need to reiterate these points before the penny drops with some on here that just because the PL says a thing, it doesn't necessarily mean it's right. The PL's attitude toward this is little more than, "because I said so".

When you quoted my post it wasn't what I was debating. I clearly mentioned the "bias". You then replied with a load of nonsense that was nothing to do with what I'd said.

But i disagree with you anyway, you're making things fit your argument because you want to sign the player, but ultimately we had adequate time to do so in the previous window, and if the Premier league allowed this then it benefits the teams that didn't use the time they were allotted- that goes against the integrity of the league.

[Cubanforever]

When you quoted my post it wasn't what I was debating. I clearly mentioned the "bias". You then replied with a load of nonsense that was nothing to do with what I'd said.

But i disagree with you anyway, you're making things fit your argument because you want to sign the player, but ultimately we had adequate time to do so in the previous window, and if the Premier league allowed this then it benefits the teams that didn't use the time they were allotted- that goes against the integrity of the league.

There's no integrity in football let alone our league....I don't even know why I care as much as I do at times

[Spiral]

When you quoted my post it wasn't what I was debating. I clearly mentioned the "bias". You then replied with a load of nonsense that was nothing to do with what I'd said.

But i disagree with you anyway, you're making things fit your argument because you want to sign the player, but ultimately we had adequate time to do so in the previous window, and if the Premier league allowed this then it benefits the teams that didn't use the time they were allotted- that goes against the integrity of the league.

We're clearly at an impasse. My biases are unambiguous, and at no point in this thread have I suggested our actions be driven by anything other than our own self interest. I made it explicitly clear in my first post on this thread that I believe we need to play dirty (which is to say, make a stink about this to get what we want), so the fact that I'm "making things fit my argument because I want to sign the player" is not exactly a revelation to me — I stated my intentions in the first post I made on this thread! I'm just surprised that there are Burnley fans who seem to have been bewitched into believing that the PL's decision not to adopt FIFA's extraordinary policy actually protects the competition's integrity. I've made my case why I think this argument around "competition integrity" is bunk, yet nobody has told me how exactly I'm wrong. All I've heard (from Burnley fans no less) is a regurgitation of the PL's line on the matter (or an unconvincing elaboration on the same point), which I've argued above as being flimsy and incoherent. Convince my I'm wrong, please, I'm begging someone.