ALEXANDER Isak can be a catalyst for change in Premier League because being an African superstar in the top flight can be a double-edged sword, writes Michael Seium
The ongoing situations involving Isak at Newcastle United and Yoane Wissa at Brentford may well serve as the spark for a long-overdue transformation in English and European football. For too long, clubs have wielded absolute power over players, dictating terms, stifling fair negotiations, and leaving little room for athletes to exercise autonomy over their careers.
Isak seals historic win for fired up Newcastle
In an era where Article 17 and Article 7 exist under FIFA and European law, players finally have a
protective framework to challenge unfair contractual limitations. No professional should be forced into a deal that falls well short of their market value.
Despite their undeniable talent and consistent performances, there seems to be a different standard applied
Isak and his current situation is the perfect example. At just 25 years old, he has excelled across five different leagues, consistently delivering goals at the highest level, for both Newcastle
United and the Swedish national team. And yet Isak, whose value on the open market justifies a salary
upwards of £350,000 per week, is reportedly capped by Newcastle’s structure at around £200,000 per week.
Meanwhile, forward players on his club and others with half his impact earn above him. His commercial potential, jersey sales, global branding, recognition, has been undervalued and neglected compared to
underperforming peers.
This is not just a contractual issue; it is a systemic failure of football’s industrial complex. Isak’s omission from the Ballon d’Or top 30 list highlights the disrespect he faces globally. For a forward of his calibre, whose consistency, flair, and professionalism stand out, the lack of acknowledgment is nothing short
of an injustice.
As someone who has had a voice and a vote in football’s most prestigious recognition platforms, I have voiced my concerns directly: Alexander Isak deserves not just consideration but celebration among football’s elite. When you’re an African footballer shining in the Premier League, the spotlight doesn’t just come with applause, it often brings scrutiny, bias, and obstacles that others don’t face.
We’re witnessing this with players like Isak and Wissa. Despite their undeniable talent and consistent
performances, there seems to be a different standard applied to them, one rooted not just in football, but in identity and heritage.
Even though Isak represents Sweden internationally, he has proudly and openly embraced his Eritrean roots, something many Newcastle fans have celebrated, especially during his outstanding
performances. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that his African identity might be a quiet problem for certain powerful circles within the Premier League establishment.
BALLER: Brentford’s Yoane Wissa Photo by David Horton – CameraSport via Getty Images
Let’s be honest, when African or Afro-diasporic players express pride in their heritage, or demand fair
treatment in business dealings, it’s often met with coded resistance. Isak has no animosity toward Newcastle United or its fans, his respect for the club is clear. But when business commitments are not honoured, and when ambitions to compete at the highest international levels are questioned or obstructed, frustration is valid.
This situation is not just about one player, or one club. It’s about fairness, respect
And here’s the bigger point: signing a contract does not make you a slave. Contracts are professional agreements, not shackles. Players have the right to seek what’s best for their careers, their families, and their legacies, just as many others have done in the past without facing the same pushback. African players deserve the same respect, agency, and freedom that others are afforded. Being proud of your
heritage should be a source of celebration, not suspicion. And wanting more for yourself, on and off the pitch, is not betrayal, it’s ambition.
We must be honest about the invisible walls many African players face, even at the highest levels. It’s time the football world embraced all of its stars, not just when they perform, but when they speak, move, and grow on their own terms.
This situation is not just about one player, or one club. It’s about fairness, respect, and recognizing that the balance of power must shift. Players are not commodities to be undervalued, they are individuals who carry the game forward and inspire millions. The Premier League prides itself on being the best league in the world. It’s time it also becomes the fairest league in the world. Let Alexander Isak, and cases like Wissa’s, be the tipping point.
For the sake of the players. For the sake of the game. For the sake of the future.
Michael Seium is a sports management and media consultant and FIFA Balon D’Or voting member representing Eritrea as a journalist.
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