Arsenal Football Club

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60432

Wenger warns against change

11 Sep 2009 - 07:31:59

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned football's lawmakers that changing the rules over the transfer of youngsters could have disastrous consequences.

Wenger has spoken out after Chelsea were banned from signing any new players until January 2011 by FIFA.

The Stamford Bridge club were found guilty of inducing Lens winger Gael Kakuta to break his contract with the French side when he was just 16.

That has led to a call that the transfer system governing youngsters should be reformed, but Wenger has sounded a cautious note.

"Look at the alternative. The player will be sold anyway," said the Frenchman.

"To whom? To agents. At what age? At 13, 14. Where will they go? Not to top-level clubs with top-level education.

"If your players cannot move to the best clubs, I believe they will not improve.

"If you have a child who is a good musician, what is your first reaction?

"It is to put it into a good music school, not in an average one, so why should that not happen in football?

"You can speak about the compensation level, is it right or not. I am open to that."