Damien Duff has hit out at English clubs for their views towards League of Ireland clubs.
In a fiery press conference on Tuesday, Duff was speaking ahead of his Shelbourne team's clash with St. Patrick's Athletic this weekend.
According to the Irish Independent, the topic of a sports scientist in England came up, with this particular person asking a member of Shelbourne staff "if they had GPS tracking in Ireland".
Damien Duff makes "cavemen" jab about English clubs
Duff laughed as he shook his head to the room full of journalists, asking: “Do they think we’re f**king cavemen over here? That’s the stuff you’re dealing with...”
With a large amount players from the League of Ireland making their way to England for a lower fee than many would feel they deserve, Duff remained resilient on the topic of release clauses.
He revealed that no player at the club has a release clause, and that won't change while he is in charge.
Damien Duff on release clauses
Duff said: “As long as I’m here it will be club policy. Any agents that come in and say ‘I want a get out clause for 30 grand or 40 grand’…you can go and do one."
“I’ve had conversations and it’s just taking the piss. It’s agents (saying) 'oh I'll make a quick buck, I'll get them across to any old club in England.’ I care about my players, they’ll go for what they are worth and if a club really wants them, they’ll show how much they want them by paying the money. That’s my policy at the club.
“I'm not trying to make a headline or anything here but this is what I do and as long as I'm here, I'm not going to be hamstrung by agents. I like to think it helps the league. I think there's a real lack of respect for the league by doing it. I'll fight it all day long.
“I’ll fight anyone verbally. It’s my league now. I know you (media) are around longer, there’s wonderful men and women in the stands for 70 years, legends of the game, and I’m just a blow-in here 18 months. I’ll still fight tooth and nail for this league. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon because I’m going to live in Ireland. I’m not just fighting for Shelbourne, it’s the two divisions and below because someone needs to do it.”
Duff did go on to admit that any young player is aware that they could double their wage by moving to England, but that they need to make the right move.
📽️ | A smart touch and finish from Jack Moylan capped a superb Shelbourne move to help them to victory earlier this evening!#CORSHE | #LOI pic.twitter.com/3BJVWRiQyb
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 17, 2023
Specifically, Duff referenced Jack Moylan's situation, with the 21-year-old attracting quite a bit of interest from other clubs in the League of Ireland and abroad.
