Israel Saria
Eurosport –
FIFA are investigating a complaint by French side Rennes against Manchester City over the signing of 17-year-old defender Jeremy Helan.
Rennes made their complaint after City signed the French teenager earlier this year.
FIFA said in a statement: “We can confirm that there is a case pending with FIFA’s Player Status Department involving Jeremy Helan, Stade Rennais FC and Manchester City.”
City have strongly contested the claim, arguing that the dispute between Helan and Rennes pre-dated any interest from them.
A club statement said: “We are comfortable that we have acted within the rules throughout the process and in no way induced any breach of contract by Jeremy Helan.”
The case follows FIFA’s ban of Chelsea signing any new players for the next two transfer windows for inducing another French teenager, Gael Kakuta, to breach his contract with Lens.
Another French side, Le Havre, claim they are in the process of reporting Manchester United to FIFA over the signing of 16-year-old Paul Pogba. United, however, insist the move was legal and have warned the French outfit they may sue them if there are any more allegations.
Rennes’ complaint was made before either of the other cases came to light.
Rennes technical director Pierre Dreossi told the Independent: “We have referred this to FIFA.”
He added: “For us it was strange to have no discussion from City and now, in the week after the FIFA declaration on Chelsea, I would hope that it will be the same thing for Manchester City.
“Kakuta signed up for just a possibility of a full contract. For Helan there was definitely one there, under the terms of the pre-contract agreement, because he had played for his country.”
Comments
Loading…