Manchester United could be the second of the Barclays Premier League's “big four” to be hit by a transfer ban after Le Havre confirmed yesterday that they are pursuing a “very similar” case to that won by Lens against Chelsea.
Alain Belsoeur, the managing director of Le Havre, told The Times that the outcome of the Chelsea hearing was “very important and very encouraging” as they seek Fifa sanctions against United for allegedly “stealing” Paul Pogba, the teenage prodigy.
Le Havre insist that Pogba was under contract to them when he left for United this summer. They claim to have a pre-contract agreement signed by the player - and witnessed by his parents - in November 2006 that committed him to a professional contract from his 16th birthday, in March. Instead, the player allegedly walked away and turned up at Old Trafford.
The French club claim to have evidence that inducements were offered to Pogba's parents and say that details will be included in their submission to Fifa.
United have strenuously denied that they made any payments or have done anything against the rules. “It is complete nonsense,” a spokesman said. “Everything has been done within Uefa guidelines.”
Nevertheless, Fifa has yet to grant international clearance for Pogba to represent United and, with the French federation supporting Le Havre, it appears certain that the case will go before the world governing body.
“Of course we are still pursuing our case,” Belsoeur said. “It is a very serious case. We are confident that we'll win because it is in the best interests not just of our club but of sport.
“We spend €5million [about £4.3million] on our academy every year out of a turnover of €12million. It is a huge investment. We do that to give a chance to our players to develop for our first team, not to be an academy for others. What is the point of investing in an academy if the players leave at 16? This is clearly a message from Fifa to protect the education system.”
Le Havre, from Ligue 2, have a history of developing teenage talent and also of litigation against English clubs. They were engaged in a legal battle with Newcastle United over Charles N'Zogbia that lasted more than three years.
Le Havre insisted that N'Zogbia had breached his contract and were initially awarded €300,000 in compensation by Fifa. They appealed and in 2007 the Court of Arbitration for Sport insisted that N'Zogbia should pay £440,000 and Newcastle £200,000. “It took 3 years and we received about a quarter of what Newcastle received from Wigan when they sold the player,” Belsoeur said. He described Newcastle at the time as “predators”.
In the case of Pogba, Le Havre signed him at 13 from a small club in Paris. They had high hopes for the defensive midfield player, who has captained France Under-16s. But they heard rumours in May that United were interested.
They claim that they rang Old Trafford to explain that Pogba was under contract and say that they spoke directly to Brian McClair, United's academy director.
United went ahead with signing Pogba as a scholar and, according to Belsoeur, offered him a deal worth £3,500 a week as soon as he turns 17, the age at which players in England can sign full professional contracts.
Belsoeur said that many clubs in Europe would be delighted at the punishment against Chelsea because they were fed up with rich Premier League clubs poaching the best young talent. “We are not the only club who have had players stolen,” Belsoeur said.
“The reputation of British clubs is that they don't produce many players for their national team but take them away from foreign countries. We hope this [Fifa's ruling] will change the behaviour of English clubs, but we will have to see.”
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