Robinho to be the first major star to do a Webster? (for €10 million)

[pc4th]

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=762104

Spanish daily Marca reports that Robinho could terminate his contract with Real Madrid under the Webster ruling, with the club being entitled to compensation amounting to a mere 10 million euros...

The Brazilian star, who moved to the Spanish capital club from Santos in 2005, still has two years left in his contract with the Merengues.

However, Robinho is understood to be unhappy at Santiago Bernabéu ever since Real Madrid considered him for a player-plus-clash deal for Manchester United's in-demand Cristiano Ronaldo.

And Robinho, who is being courted by Chelsea new boss, Luiz Felipe Scolari, may well terminate his contract with Real Madrid without just clause under the Webster ruling.

According to Article 17 of FIFA's transfer regulations, any player who signs a deal when aged under 28 is able to unilaterally break that contract after just three years.

Marca believes that, should Robinho terminate his contract with Real Madrid, a compensation of just €10 million will have to be paid to the club.

Earlier this summer, FC Porto midfielder Paulo Assunção decided to break his contract with the Portuguese Champions and he is now on the verge of completing a move to Atletico Madrid.

[lanman]

He's a bit late to do it this year. Players have a set window which is dependent on the club's last game of the season in which to inform the club they intend to take such action.

[pc4th]

He's a bit late to do it this year. Players have a set window which is dependent on the club's last game of the season in which to inform the club they intend to take such action.

That's not true. As long as he is within the protected area, he can inform the club anytime. Since he signed his contract in July 2005, he can inform the club in July 2008 and afterward. He could inform the club in August 2008 and that is perfectly legit.

http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=15049

he served his notice to Hearts in May 2006, which is outside the protected area (his contract wasn't due to expire until July 2007).

Webster contract was from July 2003 to July 2007 (4 years). After serving 3 years, he can serve his notice on July 2006. He did it two months early.

Robinho contract with Real Madrid is from July 2005 to July 2010 (5 years). As of July 2008 (3 years), he can serve his notice. As far as I am aware, there is no set window to inform the club. A player can inform a club when he has served 3 years of his contract (or 2 years if he is 28 or over).
Robinho cannot use the Webster ruling to go to another club in Spain however. It only works if he go to another club in another country. For example, Chelsea, Man Utd, Milan or Juventus.

Robinho yearly salary is €5 million. If a club like Chelsea or Man Utd offer him €20 million signing-on fee and €7-8 million a year salary, he might be gone.

Robinho is better off by €10 million signing-on fee and an improved contract.
The buying club only has to pay €20 million signing-on fee (instead of €30 million transfer fee). Win-win for both. Real Madrid will be the loser of this saga.

[lanman]

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/regulations_on_the_status_and_transfer_of_players_en_33410.pdf

From Article 17 3

Disciplinary measures may, however, be imposed outside the protected period for failure to give notice of termination within 15 days of the last official match of the season (including national cups) of the club with which the player is registered


Webster received a ban for not conforming to this.

[pc4th]

Lampard could be the first major star to do a Webster:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/06/29/sfnars129.xml

Wenger warned of a new era of player power, especially if they begin to take advantage of the Webster ruling that would allow Frank Lampard to join Inter Milan for under £8?million.

Lampard is in talks with Chelsea about a new deal, but if he rejects their offer, the controversial ruling would allow him to break his contract with the final year to run, because he is over 28 and has been on his present contract for at least two years. Lampard would then need to compensate the club the equivalent of a year's wages.

Lampard could go for around £5million (his contract last year's wages).

Not a star player, but Assuncao is pretty good. I guess the last year on his contract is worth €600,000.

Atletico are more than interested in signing Brazilian midfielder Paulo Assunção, who is currently a free agent after terminating his contract with Porto without just cause under the Webster ruling. It is estimated that an indemnification of €600,000 will have to be paid to the Portuguese champions.