In the legal sphere, it is often said that a bad deal beats a bad outcome in court. There was no winning moment in the clash between Peter Milla and Elche CF or between Elche CF and Father Milla. The dispute did not bring happiness for anyone; it only fed pride and divided loyalties.
In a flash, the forward found himself under intense scrutiny. Fans who once celebrated his on pitch achievements began to question his choices as he navigated his future with Elche. The Catalan footballer publicly chose to challenge the franchise’s top shareholder and presence, Christian Bragarnik.
The whole episode leaves behind a trail of unresolved questions that demand clear answers:
RELEASE
delayed farewell
The first question is why the player posted a farewell message to fans and many club stakeholders saying it was only a temporary pause, leaving room for renegotiation. What was Pere Milla signaling with those words?
Was the aim to rally fans and use their support as leverage? If so, the outcome did not align with those expectations. The crowd recognizes the effort, the goals, and the years of service Pere Milla offered the franciverde squad. The decisive goal against Oviedo, the playoff passport, the club’s centennial milestone, the promotions in Girona, and the tallies against Cádiz and Getafe last season all mark his contributions. Performances at Osasuna, Camp Nou, and Santiago Bernabéu showed his role as the team’s top scorer. Yet public sentiment often places the shield and jersey above any individual player.
MONEY
What about money
It is natural for any player to aim for fair compensation after a standout season. Pere Milla asserted that the disagreement was not financial in nature but about form and process. He also maintained that no contract had been signed with any club.
With a three-year package valued at over a million euros, the gap between the presentation and the demands of the representatives was reportedly small. If money is not the core issue and the differences are minor, why was there no agreement reached and why did the standoff continue? Is there merit in pushing the dispute to the end?
THE FUTURE
Will another club risk signing him given the current situation
If Pere Milla states a reluctance to commit to another team even while the issue remains unsettled in court, a new question emerges. Which club would take the risk of signing him if later court action unsettles the deal? If clubs disagree with the player, should they heed the court’s decision? The crossroads create a tough choice for the Catalan forward and potential suitors.
There could come a moment when on the fourth of July he cannot find a destination and must prepare for preseason. How does he face that scenario? Does Elche bear responsibility if he stays away? The whole situation feels perplexing and unsettled.
Doubts
Seeking AFE support
If Pere Milla, his agents, and his legal counsel believe they are right and free and that renewal hinges on a drafting error, another question arises: why involve AFE and why does the players’ federation speak more in verbal terms than in writing? If the matter is not crystal clear, why not step forward publicly to defend Pere Milla?
At the very least, the case raises many uncertainties about how it might end.
LONG CONTRACT
three seasons
The uncertainty is not limited to Pere Milla. Elche also shares some of the blame. The owner Bragarnik, who generally avoids long agreements, offered a lengthy contract early in the year. What prompted such a move in January if there were legitimate reasons, as claimed? Could the assumption that renewal would happen automatically in the Premier League have influenced decisions? The same approach did not extend to Edgar Badia, who faced a similar situation and managed a different outcome.
These questions pile up—strange, opaque, and a conflict that seems needless and unfair for a club idol.