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Manchester United may sue Le Havre over Paul Pogba claims
08.09.09
Manchester United are ready with a robust defence should Le Havre ignore the warnings and continue to pursue a case against the Red Devils over their signing of Paul Pogba.
United have warned the French outfit they may sue them if there are any more allegations such as made by the Le Havre president Pierre Louvel, who claimed the Old Trafford outfit had offered Paul Pogba's parents 100,000 Euros each and a house if the 16-year-old joined them.
Although Pogba subsequently did join United, the Premier League champions insist the move was legal. And they are ready to defend themselves in the strongest terms should proof be required following FIFA's decision to punish Chelsea last week over their pursuit of Gael Kakuta.
"Manchester United is entirely satisfied that the transfer of Paul Pogba has been conducted in accordance with the regulations set down by the world governing body, FIFA," said the club in a statement.
"Manchester United is ready to defend any claim brought against it by Le Havre at FIFA."
The ink had barely dried on FIFA's damning judgement into Chelsea's recruitment of Kakuta - a signing that means they will not be allowed to bring any new players to Stamford Bridge until 2011, pending appeal - than United's pursuit of Pogba was brought into question.
United have courted controversy before in their recruitment of players such as Giuseppe Rossi and Federico Macheda from Italy because youngsters cannot, by law, be tied to professional contracts before the age of 18.
Yet the Red Devils feel there has been nothing wrong with their conduct and are ready to sue Le Havre, who have yet to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA.
"Manchester United has written to Le Havre AC to put it on notice that action will be taken if such allegations are repeated in relation to the transfer of Paul Pogba," continued the statement.
"In response to the wholly unfounded comments widely reported in the media of Le Havre AC President, Jean-Pierre Louvel, Manchester United wishes to categorically confirm that as a matter of club policy and in accordance with the applicable football regulations, it does not offer inducements to the parents of players that sign for the club such as monetary payments or the purchase of houses.
"It is to be noted that all contractual documentation relating to the player's registration with the club has already been fully ratified by the Football Association and the Premier League."
Reader views (2)
Small clubs have a legitimate interest in defending their rights where young players are concerned, and with luck will not be intimidated by larger, more aggressive interests. Of course a large or small club can bring a charge, and of course any club charged will defend itself — who has ever suggested otherwise? The cynical attitude that rules don't apply or that rules are for others, or that nobody obeys the rules, deserves to be challenged and dealt with seriously, and that'll put a stop to that kind of commercial corruption. Instead of the touchiness expressed whenever the cynical are challenged, football club behaviour would improve and with it genuine competition.
- Peter, London, United Kingdom
ahhh there's a suprise! another French club.
Tell you what..... If the F.A were to agree to pull all of our clubs out of European Cups/FIFA Club championship we'll see just how popular Platini's beloved champions League is, and as for FIFA's club championship... I can't remember seeing many Japanese fans running around in PSG shirts can you?
So those ticket sales wouldn't touch those achieved when Man Utd and Liverpool played over there.
Who is the English representative with UEFA/FIFA?? It's our game, surely we should have a say in how it is run?
If England were to win the World Cup next year, I'd rather see the team parade around London lifting Platini aloft than the actual trophy!!! (Yes, i'm bitter!)
- Mark Hennessey, Ashington, Northumberland
