A revolutionary rebuilds his life

THERE was a relaxed laugh in Jean-Marc Bosman's voice. He sounded like a man finally at ease with himself. "I don't consider myself to be a hero." Thousands of professional footballers as yet unborn may have cause to disagree. "There was a principle I wanted to ensure had a hearing. I was going to stick to it regardless of what it took."

It was a principle that cost Bosman the prime years. He and laughter, not to mention the chances of fulfilling his fast receding potential, became strangers in the pursuit of justice.

Reflecting on the affair in his Liege apartment last week, the man who may become the most celebrated of Belgian footballers, said: "I don't have any regrets because I won the case. But I was glad when it was all finished. It's important to get on with my life, although I've come to realise that has changed forever. There isn't a day when somebody from somewhere in the world doesn't want to talk to me."

Bosman, now 31, runs a clothes shop in Liege , his home town, and still plays as an amateur for nearby Vise, a club in the Belgian fourth division. Much of his time at present is spent planning for a benefit match in Malaga on 30 April, which may be important both financially and symbolically. The quality of players taking part will not only determine the amount of money he receives (and needs) but also indicate the significance his fellow footballers attach to the case. He is optimistic that internationals from all over Europe will turn out.

The once obscure midfielder conceded with a hint of a chuckle that he had no idea the wrangle would become so protracted or complicated when he embarked on his first legal action in 1990. He was merely seeking the right to ply his trade but the case grew into one affecting the rights of footballers' free movement throughout the European Community. As the affair continues, Uefa officials meet officials from national football associations today to see how much support they have for maintaining restrictions on foreigners, and come to a final decision tomorrow.

Bosman became a professional player at the age of 17 when he signed for Standard Liege in 1982. Six years later he was transferred for pounds 66,000 to the now defunct FC Liege. Two years later, with his contract expired, the trouble began.

FC Liege offered him a new deal with the small amendment of a 60 per cent drop in wages. Bosman decided he would much prefer a move to the French club Dunkerque to which Liege responded by demanding a pounds 250,000 fee. Dunkerque refused to pay, Bosman was suspended and in August 1990 the player began his court proceedings.

As they dragged on, he was allowed to play again but clubs hardly queued up. He turned out for St Quentin and St Denis in France, returned to Belgium in 1993 and took a full season to find a new club, Olympique Charleroi. He moved to Vise in 1994.

Bosman prefers to play down his troubles now but the case exacted a weighty toll. His marriage broke up, which was perhaps not surprising considering that when he returned to Belgium he was deemed not to be eligible for unemployment benefit and lived in a lock-up garage. There have been stories that he drank too much.

By the time the European Court of Justice finally found in his favour late last year Bosman could have been forgiven for thinking that it had all long since ceased to matter. His playing days were effectively finished and had been since his mid-twenties. "I don't deny there were some bad times but the principle came to dominate everything," he said. "I'm happy again, perhaps not the happiest man in the world but happy and I'm looking forward now."

He is recognised in many more places than he ever was and is, of course, writing his autobiography. If he bears a grudge against the professional establishment which so shrouded his career he would be justified but his love for football remains undimmed.

He has no intention of going into coaching, management or, given his knowledge of clubs' legal obligations, administration. "Playing, that's what I want to do," he said. "I love playing. My good days are over because I'm 31 years old. But I'd like to keep playing for another 31 years." And he laughed again.