Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United facing Chelsea-style transfer ban over teen signings
Manchester United face the renewed prospect of a one-year transfer ban after their attempts to sign teenagers Paul Pogba and Alberto Massacci were referred to FIFA following the refusal of the Italy and France Football Associations to release transfer documents allowing the moves.[LNB]And Le Harve, Pogba's former club, expect FIFA to investigate and repeat the transfer ban they imposed on Chelsea for inducing Gael Kakuta, 16, to breach a contract with Lens and sign for the youth academy.[LNB]Eye of the storm: Paul Pogba [LNB] Le Havre managing director Alain Belsoeur said: 'The French FA did not deliver the clearance certificate to Manchester United and the English FA, who have turned to FIFA to appeal. [LNB]FIFA have to examine the case and we have supplied written answers to their questions regarding the contractual relationship between the player and the club.[LNB]'The Pogba case is very, very similar to the case of Kakuta and I can think of no reason why FIFA's final decision will be dissimilar.'[LNB]Le Havre president Jean-Pierre Louvel, urged to 'put up or shut up' by United chief executive David Gill, said: 'We'll launch an attack on United, seek sanctions and demand the same ban FIFA gave Chelsea in the transfer market.'[LNB]News of the FIFA probe comes a week after Gill's attack on Le Harve, who have backed down on their allegations that United paid Pogba's parents, a claim which was denied by Gill.[LNB]United threatened legal action when they heard Le Havre had made allegations of inducements and insist they have made no illicit payments, saying they have acted within the rules.[LNB]Italian club Empoli have also withheld transfer clearance for Alberto Massacci's move to United.[LNB] Costly business: Chelsea were given a transfer ban after Gael Kakuta was induced to breach his Lens contract[LNB] However, their case is not as strong because 16-year-olds are not recognised as workers in Italy so they cannot sign a contract.[LNB]Empoli director Giuseppe Vitale said: 'It's true, we're trying to block Massacci from playing for United. We are withholding the relevant documents.[LNB]'Why should we hand over his registration after the way United have behaved? I understand Fiorentina are doing the same over Michele Fornasier.'[LNB]United spokesman Phil Townsend denied that they had done anything wrong.[LNB]'It is up to FIFA to decide over the question of a contract but we are confident Pogba wasn't contracted to Le Havre,' he said. 'We have acted within the legislation.'[LNB] MANCHESTER UNITED
