But not team will dock a player wages because, as the only club doing so, they would put themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Plus, they also get a profit from the publicity (although not directly tangible).

Releasing players for international competition or for qualifying games is one matter; having to hand Van Persie over to Holland for their friendly is another. Van Persie has been injured numerous times over the last few seasons, but few remember that at least half of those were while on Holland duty; who bears the brunt of the downside? Arsenal. Walcott was picked for the England U21 side this summer; he’s played very few games for Arsenal this year after succumbing to injuries.

Letting players go to the World Cup, Euros, or African Cup of Nations is one matter; having hands tied to release them for mid-week friendlies during qualification breaks (which are far, far too plentiful during the club season as it is) and seeing no repayment should players be injured on national duty is terrible.

At least Wenger is standing in front of the issue and making a statement, instead of skirting it and having players magically ruled out “injured” when the international call-ups come…

The current system is rife with moral hazard problems. Financial compensation would act as an incentive for national managers to use their football players wisely, not urging them to play when they are half-crocked and making sure they get proper medical treatment. Penalties would only be incurred during cases where the national team/manager has shown reckless disregard for the health and fitness of a player, as in Van Persie’s case. I don’t see how that equates to undermining the international outfit.

@Dave: if the clubs, don’t pay player salaries when they are injured during international duty, how do you expect the players to earn income? With such callous treatment from their clubs, players would surely opt out of playing international duty rather than risk the possibility of losing week/s wages.