van Basten Stands Alone

Holland manager Marco van Basten is up in arms over FIFA’s World Cup registration limitations. FIFA has restricted registration of World Cup players to May 15th, 24 days before the opening match in Germany.

Van Basten thus far stands alone, as he asks other World Cup bound teams to protest the FIFA restrictions. The restrictions are clearly made for the protection of the players. FIFA has also urged national teams to give players a rest period between May 15th and 22nd.

If the selection limitations are designed to protect players, FIFA has missed the mark.

At this point in a World Cup campaign most national coaches know about 19 of the 23 players allowed. Any player that finds himself in World Cup limbo should be willing to fight until kick-off for a spot on the team. Your unlikely to hear complaints from any player hoping for a spot.

National teams don’t have time for friendlies between now and Germany and could use time in training camp to make final roster choices. Teams like Holland have players in club competitions all over the world, making it difficult to evaluate all of the players.

Extending the selection deadline puts the power in the hands of the managers. May 15th is an artificial deadline. Managers at this level should be trusted to make their own decisions without interference from FIFA. What exactly is the harm of a few last minute roster changes anyways?