Manchester United will launch a vigorous defence of their position if the case of Paul Pogba is referred to FIFA.
Chelsea have vowed to appeal against a ban on signing players for the next two transfer windows after being found guilty of improper conduct in their recruitment of Gael Kakuta from French club Lens.
Le Havre have confirmed they will ask FIFA to investigate the case of Pogba, who they claim had agreed to join them, only to walk out in favour of the Old Trafford outfit, but a spokesman for United said: “It is complete nonsense.”
FIFA have so far failed to register Pogba’s arrival at Old Trafford, although United insist they have done nothing wrong.
The United spokesman added: “Everything has been done within UEFA guidelines.”
However, Le Havre managing director Alain Belsoeur claims to have documentation showing United offered inducements for Pogba to join them and has vowed to include it in submissions to the world’s governing body.
“We are still pursuing our case,” Belsoeur said. “It is a very serious case. We are confident that we’ll win because it is in the best interests not just of our club but of sport.
“We spend five million euros (£4.3 million) on our academy every year out of a turnover of 12m euros (£10.3m). It is a huge investment.
“We do that to give a chance to our players to develop for our first team, not to be an academy for others.
“What is the point of investing in an academy if the players leave at 16? This is clearly a message from FIFA to protect the education system.”
Chelsea have confirmed they are to fight FIFA’s ban by launching “the strongest possible appeal”.
FIFA banned Chelsea from registering any new players until 2011 over an illegal approach made to Kakuta, now 18, in 2007.
A club statement read: “Chelsea will mount the strongest appeal possible following the decision of FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber over Gael Kakuta. The sanctions are without precedent to this level and totally disproportionate to the alleged offence and the financial penalty imposed.”
PA Sport
