15 December 1995: the “Bosman ruling” transforms the economics of football

The finances of football were changed forever on this day in 1995 when Jean-Marc Bosman won his case, and out-of-contract footballers were allowed to move freely between clubs.

Footballers' salaries are the stuff of legend. The average player in the Premier League, for example, scrapes by on just £240,000 a month – plenty of cash for naff houses, vulgar cars, and, lately, dodgy investment schemes. The reason they are all so fabulously wealthy is down to one man – Belgian journeyman midfielder Jean-Marc Bosman and his fight for justice.

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