Source: SKY_Sports
Lazio chief calls for change
Lazio president Claudio Lotito has called for the Italian FA to make changes to the rules regarding home-grown players to halt an exodus of youngsters from moving abroad.[LNB] The Lazio chief was speaking after one of the club's former starlets Federico Macheda marked his Manchester United debut with a stunning last-gasp winner against Aston Villa on Sunday.[LNB]The 17-year-old left Lazio in September 2007 after coming through the ranks of the Italian club's youth system and the Lazio president is still bitter about the transfer.[LNB]Lotito is adamant that new rules need to be put in place to protect the clubs who produce home-grown players from losing out when they get older.[LNB]At present Italian clubs are not allowed to tie youngsters to professional contracts until the age of 18 whereas in England the age is 16.[LNB]"We tried in every way to stop Manchester United from taking away our player but the present Italian regulations don't give you any type of defence," he said.[LNB]Cattle market"In reality we find ourselves in front of a proper cattle market. I talked repeatedly with Macheda's parents, we established a dialogue, but it was not possible to do anything.[LNB]"We could not compete with United's offer.[LNB]"That is not right, we have to be provided with more reliable and concrete rules than those which govern Italian clubs." [LNB]Meanwhile Macheda's agent Giovanni Bia claimed that his client was still fond of Rome but added that moving to United was the right choice.[LNB]"Rome will always be in his heart," he told Sky Italia.[LNB]"He is smart, he knows what he wants and he has clear-cut ideas. At the age of 16 he left everything and that isn't easy.[LNB]"Now however it starts getting difficult, he has to understand that he has not done anything at all yet. Luckily at United he is very protected."[LNB]
