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Rennes report Manchester City for Jeremy Helan signing
8 Sep 2009Manchester City are the latest Premier League club to come under scrutiny over the acquisition of young players with Rennes confirming they have referred the signing of Jeremy Helan to FIFA.
Seventeen-year-old defender Helan, the former captain of the France Under-16 side, joined City in 2008.
"We have referred this to FIFA," Dreossi told The Independent.
Dreossi claimed that Rennes had no contact with City before Helan's switch to Eastlands.
Chelsea were last week banned from registering players for the next two transfer windows after FIFA punished them for inducing Gael Kakuta to west London.
Chelsea have since confirmed they are to appeal FIFA's verdict.
City's city-rivals Manchester United yesterday announced they were ready with a robust defence should Le Havre 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.
"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."
Reader views (4)
What makes me laugh is how all the big clubs (and Tottenham's) "fans" are all now incredulous that they're about to get punished for breaking the law.
You all really do think you're above it, don't you? You steal other teams' players outside of the rules, you pay the price. You've all been doing it for years and you deserve what you get.
And yes, if West Ham are guilty (and after all the punishments my club have endured over the last few years you have no idea how much I hope not...), then they deserve it too.
- Stu, Beckton, 09/09/2009 12:47
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FIFA have now opened the floodgates for all these jumped-up small-time club Presidents to try their luck. All of M. Platini's (UEFA) countrymen must be rubbing their grubby little hands together, hoping to make a euro or two.
I agree that something constructive, and workable, needs to be done but as usual the footballing authorites are taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut. The best thing to happen would be for the Chelsea case (once they and young Kakuta have been given the opportunity to submit their evidence) be thrown out on appeal. All parties can then sit down, have a rational discussion and produce a coherent procedure for the future and not continue with the present knee-jerk reaction fed by both Blatter's/Platini's green-eyed driven agenda to purely destabilise the English Club game.
If they wish to pursue their vindictiveness, then when are questions going to asked with regard to the exploitation of young African footballers on that Continent by, in particular, France (which has been going on for years unabated and ignored) ?
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 08/09/2009 14:14
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City don't stand a chance. Like Chelsea, they are despised for having "new money" and "no history" as MU & Liverpool fans like to keep harping on about. They will get a ban. MU (and other G14 clubs) will not. Wait and see....
- Paul, Feltham, 08/09/2009 13:51
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All aboard the Platini/Blatter band wagon!!!
- Mark Hennessey, Ashington, Northumberland, 08/09/2009 08:43
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