It represented the culmination of a bad week for the Foxes. On Saturday,
Wise has never exactly shone as a beacon of football’s integrity, but this latest act of outrageous arrogance marks a new low for an individual who is – or perhaps was – a very good footballer. At a time when Leicester were already known to be struggling, it is quite possible that it was the threat of legal action, and the costs that will go hand in hand with defending such a threat, that tipped the club over the edge.
We all know the chain of events that led to Wise’s sacking. On a pre-season tour he punched Callum Davidson, and broke his jaw. There was no provocation; there was no justification. The top and bottom of the matter is that he attacked a colleague for no apparent reason, and
Gross Misconduct is, in any contract, a sackable offence. There is no conclusive definition of that term, but if you cited punching a workmate as an example to any employment lawyer, it is sure that he would agree with you.
Footballers have, by virtue of the Bosman Ruling amongst others, spent much of the past ten years arguing that their contracts are exactly the same as anyone else in any other job, and that they are entitled to the same benefits, such as freedom of movement, as anyone else – this has culminated in the reform of the transfer system. They cannot have it both ways. If their contracts are no different to anyone else, then they are subject to the same conditions as anyone else. Any other rules, and player power will become complete, and the game will become a mockery.
Leicester