It's a lie! Manchester United deny Le Havre's Paul Pogba claims and threaten legal action

07 September 2009 15:55
Manchester United have categorically denied that they used financial inducements to lure Paul Pogba from Le Havre - and threatened the French club with action should they repeat allegations that the teenager and his parents received payments as part of his recuitment. Le Havre president Jean-Pierre Louvel had claimed that the 16-year-old had been promised £15,500-a-month when he turns 17 next year and that payments of more than £85,000 each were made to the French teenager's separated parents. Louvel also claims that the Barlays Premier League champions offered to buy Pogba a house near Manchester in exchange for his signature.  A Manchester United club statement read: 'In response to the wholly unfounded comments widely reported in the media of Le Havre AC President, Jean-Pierre Louvel, Manchester United wishes to categorically confirm that as a matter of Club policy and in accordance with the applicable football regulations, it does not offer inducements to the parents of players that sign for the Club such as monetary payments or the purchase of houses. 'Manchester United has today written to Le Havre AC to put it on notice that action will be taken if such allegations are repeated in relation to the transfer of Paul Pogba. '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.  'Manchester United is ready to defend any claim brought against it by Le Havre at FIFA. It is to be noted that all contractual documentation relating to the Player's registration with the Club has already been fully ratified by The Football Association and the Premier League.' Louvel, president of the Ligue 2 club, said: 'They tempt the parents. In the case of Paul Pogba, it was fairly simple. 'One hundred thousands euros for the father, one hundred thousand euros for the mother, and a house. 'France respects a certain number of rules, but English clubs do not respect anything.' Le Havre managing director Alain Belsoeur claims to have documentation showing United offered inducements to Pogba, and has vowed to include it in submissions to FIFA. A FIFA spokesman revealed that the game's world governing body were still waiting for an official complaint from Le Havre over the alleged approach.

Source: Daily_Mail