PFA Scotland has continued to assist players throughout this season with CV development and advice on education and employment opportunities.

As a result of our close working relationship with Show Racism the Red Card Scotland, we are aware of current vacancies within their organisation which may be of interest to players.

To find out more about the available roles please click on the following link:

http://www.theredcardscotland.org/get-involved/job-vacancies

Furthermore should an interested player require more information then please contact Jack Ross 07540 636766 / jack@pfascotland.co.uk or any member of the PFA Scotland team.

On Sunday the match between Genoa and Siena was suspended for 40 minutes after smoke bombs and firecrackers were thrown on to the pitch by a small group of Genoa supporters.

This was a reaction to Genoa losing the match 4-0 at the time with some fans also coming on to the pitch and demanding the players remove their shirts as “they were not worthy of wearing them.”  Most of the players handed their shirts to their captain Marco Rossi.  This incident comes only a few weeks after some Genoa supporters entered the home dressing room.

A FIFPro statement read “FIFPro is disgusted with the events in Genoa.  It is incredible that only one week after the entire football world showed its respect for Piermario Morosini, colleagues of this player are being threatened because they are losing a match.  Everybody, even these so called supporters have to accept that football is a game.  That football has winners and losers.”

“FIFPro is very concerned about the current situation in Italy, as the respect for professional footballers appears to be on the decline and players are subjected to violence and insults.  Some people forget that professional footballers are human beings who are just doing their job.  The players are entitled to a working environment free of violence and intimidation.”

“The players of Genoa suffered a total humilation that cannot be condoned by anyone.  Not by FIFPro, not by the players, not by the real football fans and not by the League.  This has got to stop and the players cannot prevent it.  It is time for the Italian football authorities and Italian government to take appropriate actions.”

PFA Scotland would like to remind players that our Annual Careers Day will be held on Wednesday 25th April 2012 at Hampden Stadium.

Detailed information and timetables for the day can be found in the Education section of the website, or by clicking on the following link:

http://pfascotland.co.uk/education/careers-day/

The event caters for both Apprentice and Senior players and covers a range of sessions and workshops including:

-Football Scholarships

-Personal Training

-Coaching Opportunities

-Coaching Franchise

-Media Training

-Career in Police Force

-PE Teaching

-Trades

-Career in Financial Industry

Many players have already committed to attending the event, and therefore should any other players wish to make us aware of their interest, then please contact a member of the PFA Scotland team

PFA Scotland is delighted to announce the nominees for the Player and Young Player of the Year awards, along with the four players in contention for each of the First, Second and Third Division prizes.

After votes were collected from players at every club in Scotland, the shortlists are as follows:

PFA Scotland Player of the Year

Jon Daly (Dundee United)

Steven Davis (Rangers)

Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic)

Dean Shiels (Kilmarnock)

PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year

James Forrest (Celtic)

Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United)

Kenny McLean (St Mirren)

Johnny Russell (Dundee United)

PFA Scotland Division One Player of the Year

Farid El Alagui (Falkirk)

Michael Gardyne (Ross County)

Michael McGovern (Falkirk)

Grant Munro (Ross County)

PFA Scotland Division Two Player of the Year

Ryan Donnelly (Airdrie United)

Steven Doris (Arbroath)

Jon Robertson (Cowdenbeath)

Ryan Wallace (East Fife)

PFA Scotland Division Three Player of the Year

Kevin Cawley (Alloa Athletic)

Jamie Longworth (Queens Park)

Steven May (Alloa Athletic)

Ryan McCord (Alloa Athletic)

All players should be congratulated on their nominations by their fellow professionals with the announcement of each award being made at PFA Scotland’s Annual Awards Dinner on May 6th 2012.

Today will witness a new milestone in the history of the World Players Union FIFPro as it signs an agreement with the ECA (European Club Association), EPFL (European Professional Football Leagues), and UEFA.  The agreement which will be witnessed by FIFPro Division Europe is with regards to the introduction of Minimum Requirements for Standard Player Contracts.

The formalisation of this agreement is the culmination of several years of perseverance by FIFPro who have been the driving force in the quest to reach this understanding throughout the course of social dialogue.  Along with committed and important support from the European Commission FIFPro has been able to persuade the ECA, EPFL and UEFA of the merits of introducing these minimum standards which will be applicable to all 53 countries affiliated to UEFA.

President of FIFPro Division Europe Phillipe Piat commented “This agreement helps not only professional footballers but also the entire professional football family.  It is of prime importance to protect the players in this sport but also the clubs as comprehensively as possible.  On behalf of FIFPro I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the European Commission for their support during this difficult process, and of course all parties concerned, the ECA, EPFL and UEFA.  The negotiations were not always easy but in the end we can all be delighted with the result.”

Tony Higgins, President of PFA Scotland and FIFPro Board Member has played a prominent role in the lengthy discussions which have led to this agreement and added “This Memorandum of Understanding signifies the mutual respect between the organisations.  Tackling match fixing, racism and violence requires a united effort if we are to succeed.  Hopefully this co-operation will be replicated throughout Europe as united action is the only way we can effectively confront the difficult problems we face.”

On Wednesday 25th April PFA Scotland is hosting its Annual Careers Day at Hampden Stadium.

As part of the event and as a result of PFA Scotland working alongside SAMH to raise awareness of mental health and stigma within the context of young men and football, we will offer two sessions for coaches covering the following:

-The session is an opportunity for coaches to discuss and learn more about the afore mentioned area of mental health and stigma within football.  What is the potential impact of poor mental health on a player, their wellbeing and their potential on the pitch?

-It will also advise on what is “normal?” What should coaches look out for and what can they do to help?

The two information sessions will be held at 10.15 am and 1.45 pm and will last for approximately 45 minutes.  Should any coaches wish to confirm attendance or have any queries then please contact:

Craig Flannigan 07900 954919 or craig@pfascotland.co.uk

Jack Ross 07540 636766 or jack@pfascotland.co.uk

The desire to remain in full time football for a young player may mean that he has to look beyond our domestic game for opportunity.

In the case of former Dundee United full back Grant Mosson that is exactly the route he has taken.  After having spent his youth career at Celtic, been capped at various levels for Scotland and experienced two years of full time football with Dundee United, Grant found himself without a club.

Grant commented “After my release from Dundee United, I sought assistance and advice from Stuart Lovell at PFA Scotland.  Stuart sign posted me to Coerver Coaching with John Collins and as a result I was certified with a Coerver coaching standard.  Furthermore he helped me compile my football CV which enabled me to gain trials at various clubs both in Scotland and England.

“The current economic climate means that earning a contract can be very difficult and consequrntly I have spent this season with Knightswood Juveniles under 21s, initially a move I made to maintain my fitmess.  However recently I have been in contact with David Hannah who is now at FC Einherji, a full time team in Iceland.  David was aware of my abilities from my time at Tannadice and offered me a contract.”

“I am delighted to be given another chance at full time football and look forward to a new experience in Iceland and aim to make the most of it.  With friends and former team mates like Scott Allan, Johnny Russell and James Forrest doing so well it gives me great incentive to progress my career again.”

PFA Scotland’s Jack Ross was recently invited to FIFPro’s headquarters in Hoofddorp, Amsterdam to participate in a FIFPro Communications Meeting.

The discussions centred on the deveolpment of the ways in which respective unions and indeed FIFPro as the World Players Union can inform and educate players on issues that affect them.  Furthermore the group reflected upon the impact of FIFPro’s recent Black Book on Eastern Europe, along with the FIFPro World XI voting process.

There was diverse representation at the meeting with those present including Patricio Jorquera (Chile), Renzo Sanguineti (Peru), Stephane Saint Raymond (France) and Casper Riddersborg (Denmark), along with Tijs Tummers and Raymond Beaard from FIFPro.

Commenting on the meeting Jack said “I was delighted to be invited by FIFPro to attend the meeting and to be given the opportunity to present on some of the advances PFA Scotland has made recently in how it communicates with it’s member players.  Furthermore it was a very worthwhile experience in terms of listening to how other unions have approached various issues and the response they have had.”

“Finally, it was of great benefit to witness how FIFPro manages the huge number of players it represents throughout world football, and how it is determined to be pro active in the field of player communications.”

Players throughout the country are currently being given the opportunity to vote for their Player and Young Player of the Year, the winners of which will be announced at PFA Scotland’s Annual Awards Dinner on Sunday May 6th 2012.

While the choice of Player of Year is specific to a player’s own division, their selection of a Young Player is from any league.  Alongside these votes, players are asked to nominate their team of the season from their own league in a 4-3-3 formation.

There is undoubtedly many deserving candidates from all four divisions and to be selected as a nominee for an award or in the team of the year is a tremendous honour for any player.

Should any players have any queries regarding the voting procedures and the Awards Dinner then please contact a member of the PFA Scotland team.

Last week, at the home of FIFA, the new International Match Calendar for seasons 2014-2018 was discussed and then approved in principle.  During the preliminary negotiations representation from FIFPro was able to defend the rights of the players, and is now delighted with the results.

Prior to a final decision and in order to present a joint European plan to FIFA, UEFA invited the ECA (the clubs), the EPFL (the leagues), the FA’s (the football associations) and FIFPro (the players) for consultation meetings in early 2011.  During these initial negotiations FIFPro was represented by Gernot Zimgast and Tijs Tummers (of FIFPro’s Technical Committee).

Thereafter at the closing meeting with FIFA, FIFPro president Leonardo Grosso and general secretary Theo van Seggelen were present.

Tijs Tummers commented “The football associations wanted to keep as many dates as possible for national team matches, the leagues wanted as few “league match free” weekends as possible, and the clubs wanted to retain their players as much as possible.  FIFPro sat in the middle of this debate;we have always fought for a healthy balance between club and national team football, which takes account of the amount of matches for the players and the pressure that come along with it.”

The most important final decision was the agreement to replace the seven double dates and five single friendly internationals with nine double dates for a two year cycle (2014-2016 and 2016-2018).  Moreover, the two internationals during a double date have to be played within one confederation.

Tummers continued “In the final analysis, since only one international was forfeited all parties were able to accept the agreement.  Nine double dates means less travelling;no long journeys in short windows.  Furthermore the national coaches will be in a better position to regulate the workload on players during these internationals.”

A further area for debate was the ECA proposal that players should only be able to play in a maximum of one tournament a year with representative teams.  FIFPro did not agree with this under the motto “Don’t take away the player’s dream.”

Tummers said “A player who performs so well in a youth tournament that the national team coach wants to take him to the finals of another tournament would no longer be able to play in both competitions.  We think that is not acceptable and thankfully that rule was abandoned.”

On the other hand, the various tournaments now take more account of each other and they must be completed by 15th July.

A final measure was the decision that players no longer have to be released for a finals tournament 13 days in advance (in most cases that was on the Saturday) but from now on only 11 days in advance (on the Monday).  This means that the leagues have regained one playing weekend in their calendar.

Tummers concluded “We are pleased that we have been able to reduce the pressure on players, whilst at the same time maintaining all opportunities for players to play for club and country.  This plan is a clear improvement for all parties.”