Blatter senses ban fears

09 September 2009 16:54
Fifa president Sepp Blatter believes top clubs fear similar sanctions in the wake of Chelsea's transfer ban. The Premier League club have been banned from signing players for the next two transfer windows for the manner of their signing of former Lens teenager Gael Kakuta in 2007, although they intend to appeal. Many European clubs have signed Academy players from overseas and this is the first high-profile case to be investigated. Fifa's sanctions have set a precedent and with more cases set to come under scrutiny, Blatter feels other clubs are now desperately trying to ensure there are no irregularities amongst their Academy ranks. "We have now had a case to analyse," he said. "It has been done by a committee with a judge and representatives of many clubs. That has now been settled. "There are clubs now who are looking at their books, some have even announced that a certain player has no contract with them and he is an amateur. "They have done this to try to make sure that the player does not come under the jurisdiction of congress." Blatter and Uefa president Michel Platini have condemned what they have respectively described as "child trafficking" and "child slavery". The two governing bodies are therefore seeking to close loopholes under EU law that allow players under the age of 18 to move throughout Europe. "The case we have just decided on is one with a player going from France to England," said Blatter. "But most of the cases we have on our desk are from Africa to Europe or South America to Europe. "They are taken at 14 or 15 years old with clubs saying that their parents are going too. But they get put into another family, and what happens to them? "One out of say 20 has a chance to go on in their career. The others are left, and they need to be protected. "There is an age limit in the Fifa statute that stops a player being transferred internationally until he is 18. The European Union is different, it is 16. "We now have a committee where each case is dealt with individually to see if a transfer can be allowed or not," added Blatter, who was in Cardiff to open a new Football Association of Wales training complex in the Vale of Glamorgan. "It is the start of greater control of our game, to protect the young players. "I have been asked by officials in Brazil to stop the exodus of their young players, and we will do the same in Africa. "We are trying to organise leagues so players there can earn a decent living. That takes time, but we have started because it is the only way to protect young players. "This current issue happened two years ago, I do not know why it has taken this time, but there are so many cases on the desks of Fifa."

Source: SKY_Sports