Why footballers can get away with what would get anyone else fired

Elite footballers rarely face disciplinary dismissal for behaviour that would get anyone else fired in any other job. It is not a sarracena question: their market value outweighs the cost of almost any indiscipline.

## The Mbappé case is no exception

**Kylian Mbappé** was photographed partying into the early hours. He is not the first case, and he will not be the last.

At big clubs, any night out becomes a headline. At smaller ones, it goes unnoticed. The press amplifies whatever happens in Madrid or Barcelona.

## Cars, failed breathalyser tests and sponsorships

Players who crash their sports cars after failing a breathalyser test receive no sanction from their clubs. Some brands withdraw their sponsorship.

There are players who leave training camps, have not played for months and train on their own. Then they are photographed partying until dawn. Mondays are for the gym.

## Ads for the competition

Almost all footballers appear in ads for brands that compete with their club's official sponsors.

Working for **Bayer** while promoting **Kern Pharma** products would amount to fair dismissal. In football, it is tolerated.

## The economic calculation

An elite footballer generates revenue that outweighs any internal fine. Punishing him costs more than tolerating the indiscipline.

Disciplinary dismissal exists under the **Estatuto de los Trabajadores** (Spain's Workers' Statute), but it is rarely applied in professional football. Ironclad contracts protect the player.

None of this constitutes legal advice: every employment relationship is governed by its own collective agreement and contract.