We somewhat superficially addressed the topic of trafficking in soccer at Run of Play a few months back. Luckily, as the video of the trailer for Soka Afrika suggests, some pretty good filmmakers have tackled the topic head-on. The film, which has a twitter handle as well, follows the stories of two young African soccer talents: one a promising thorough-bred who goes the traditional route, the other a talented youngster who gets swindled by an “agent”
Eric of A Football Report did a splendid full review of the film here. However, both the film and my post at RoP brim with observations but are short on potential solutions. It’s super cool that a non-profit in France is attempting to help stranded African footy-dreamers, but I’m going to speculate on some more carrots & sticks ideas.
I begin with a contentious but important presupposition – the potential footballers, normally teenage adolescents with limited education, are the victim. It’s very easy to blame the trafficked person in any context for getting swindled, not being suspicious, etc. But the economic pressures on many youth, coupled with doses of confidence and immaturity, make them the least guilty of the group. Can you blame them for dreaming? Can we outlaw dreams? No. I think that expanded education and outreach campaigns could help, especially in “source” countries. In “destination” countries, non-profits and government agencies need to improve identify, response, and rescue options.
A brief note. I know that not everybody views economic migrants in a favorable light. If you loved the US alleged immigration “reform” act of 1996 and approved of the recent Arizona state law, then feel free to have your comments waste away in my spam filters. Like a debt ceiling debate, I refuse to let ideologues from the opposite end hold debate hostage by using policy arguments to make fundamental philosophical chasms. If you view economic migrants as to be blamed, then go to a Lou Dobbs forum or something. I respect your fundamental value choice that is the opposite of mine and invite you to stop reading this post. Moving on.
Second, and this is the most contentious and complex issue, is how to attack the fraudulent shadow actors who circle around prized clubs and leagues. I refer to the fake agents, the people with just enough contacts to get a try-out and arrange airfare, but little else. On the one hand, one could attempt a whac-a-mole approach. Countries could pass laws, enforce fraud statutes, etc, and shadow agents could get convicted of crimes, get fines, etc. However, as long as money entices, I don’t think that attempts to reign in the transient & elusive shadow characters will get much done. Aside from maybe a few media headlines for criminal prosecutions.
My proposal is to disgorge the financial profits of clubs that associate with these characters. I think that whistle blower laws & independent audits, combined with a player registration system, are essential. Basically, clubs would have to certify that for every player in their association (roster, academy), they did not pay any referral fees or make contacts with any unregistered FIFA agent.
I am still chewing on this idea and invite you to help me work through nuts & bolts. I am aware that bits and pieces are already in place, albeit lacking in teeth and political will. The fines would have to be high enough to be more than a slap on the wrist, the law would need to have retaliation provisions for whistle blowers, etc. etc. But I think the idea is a decent one. Clubs have a financial incentive to associate with sleazebags – they may bring them a cheap diamond in the rough. Until that incentive changes, shadow agents will stalk the dark continent and other corners of the world.
So chew on that. And in the meantime, catch Soka Afrika if you can.