Top European panel backs ban on under-18 transfersNYON, Switzerland: A ban on transferring under-18 football players between European nations moved a step closer on Monday, after an agreement by a panel of top clubs, leagues and officials.
The decision by UEFA's influential Professional Football Strategy Council aims to help stop a practice described by UEFA President Michel Platini as "child trafficking."
Council members signed off on an agreement that "
no international transfers — or first registration of non-nationals — of players under 18 into Europe or within Europe should be permitted."
"The question of minors is above all a moral and ethical issue," Platini said. "We have a duty to take concrete steps to protect young players and training clubs."
The resolution aims to persuade FIFA, football's world governing body, to close a European loophole in the international transfer regulations.
It allows for 16- and 17-year-olds to be transferred between clubs in the European Union because they have full employment rights in the 27-nation bloc.
The existing rules allowed English club Arsenal to sign Cesc Fabregas, now an established Spain international, from FC Barcelona in 2003 when he was 16.But football authorities have become concerned that schoolboys are being lured from their homes and families to move abroad with the promise of a lucrative professional contract that often never materializes.
The strategy council includes representatives of the European Club Association, a lobby group of more than 130 of Europe's best and richest clubs — including Arsenal — who have been best placed to exploit the current loophole.
But, said ECA spokesman Michele Centenaro, clubs supported Platini's wish to end the transfer of minors.
"There was a mandate given by the clubs," Centenaro said. "We are OK with the principle."
FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said the agreement reached Monday will be put before FIFA's Executive Committee at its March 19-20 meeting.
While the ban could be challenged under EU law, UEFA and FIFA have led ongoing talks with Brussels lawmakers that would allow sports to enjoy exemptions to run their own affairs.
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Platini's U18 plan agreedUefa want transfers for Under-18s banned
Uefa chief Michel Platini has seen his plans to ban transfers for any player under the age of 18 supported by clubs, leagues and associations.
Platini wants international transfers involving players under 18 banned and at a meeting of the Professional Football Strategy Council in Switzerland, his plans were given the thumbs up.
The Professional Football Strategy Council is composed of elected representatives of the associations, clubs, leagues and players from throughout Europe, and advises Uefa's Executive Committee on issues of strategic importance for European football.
Fifa also has an observer on the panel, and Platini's ideas were, in principle, agreed to.
Pleased
"The question of minors is above all a moral and ethical issue - we have a duty to take concrete steps to protect young players and training clubs," said Platini.
"I am delighted that the key stakeholders of the European football family have a common view on this major subject and I welcome the signature of this important resolution."
Although football's big hitters have agreed to Platini's plans they will now need to be ratified by the European Union, who at the moment only have a limit of 16 for legal cross-border transfers.European Union sports commissioner Jan Figal has said he would ask for all 27-member nations to back proposals, if Platini could provide evidence that it would put an end to exploitation of young footballers.
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Michel Platini's Teenage Player Movement Restrictions Given Green LightA strategy council have confirmed that plans to restrict transfers of players aged 17 and under has been approved...
A Professional Football Strategy Council met in Nyon, Switzerland, yesterday to discuss hot topics such as the poaching of young players, together with the protection of minors.
UEFA president Michel Platini's plans to prevent the poaching of players aged under 18 was ratified by attending groups, which contained representatives from football associations, clubs, leagues and players.
A statement on UEFA’s official website declared, "There should be no international transfers of minors – players aged under 18 – either into Europe or within Europe."
While Platini added, "The question of minors is above all a moral and ethical issue – we have a duty to take concrete steps to protect young players and training clubs.
"I am delighted that the key stakeholders of the European football family have a common view on this major subject and I welcome the signature of this important resolution.”
The proposal is sure to split opinion. For some, the move will be regarded as a response to the Premier League, with clubs like Arsenal bringing players such as Fran Merida and Cesc Fabregas to north London from Barcelona at a relatively raw age.
It is said that clubs who school the player should be the ones who reap the rewards when that footballer blossoms, yet Barcelona were unable to see the aforementioned Spaniards bloom into the beautiful passers of the ball that they have now become.The proposal is deemed to limit exploitation of young players, yet one criticism that could be aired would involve keeping a player at a club against their will.
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Football Club Barcelona, Mes Que Un Club!
