Raheem Sterling: Why do football teams have ‘bomb squads’?

Contractual complications are usually the reasons that players find themselves stranded in a club where they are not playing with the first team, but can’t leave.

There are strict regulations implemented by Fifa that mean there can be no ‘abusive conduct’ by the club isolating players – including those in the bomb squad – from the first team, which may entitle a player to terminate their contract citing ‘just cause’.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made headlines by comparing Chelsea’s bomb squad to his father’s job as a fisherman.

Aberdeen Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel told the BBC World Service that he personally would not treat bomb squad players so harshly, but could also see why teams decide to implement such measures.

“Maybe the club is too big, maybe the manger fancies someone else… there are different reasons why a players isn’t part of the club’s plans any more,” he said.

“Is there a better way to handle it? Sure, straight away go to the agent, pay out the player, terminate the contract, shake hands, smile, hug each other. But that’s a fairytale.”

He also said there may be discussions taking place around the player’s future that they are not privy to.

“Lots of times clubs will find a pretty quick situations with loans or sales or finding ways to make it work for player. But there are isolated cases where the agent of a player makes it very difficult. Players don’t always hear the discussion with sporting director where you feel only ways to keep the player and keep them fit.”