Juve do not expect reprisals

LAUSANNE: Juventus are confident they will escape any punishment from Fifa for their role in Paul Pogba’s £89.6million (RM487 million) transfer to Manchester United.

Fifa have cleared United of any wrongdoing but confirmed investigations into Juve’s actions are continuing.

A book published Football Leaks: The Dirty Business alleged Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola received an up front fee of £23 million and will receive a further five instalments totalling £16.39 million over the course of the player’s five-year contract.

Mention of such high commissions has helped prompt Fifa’s investigation.

However, Juventus director Beppe Moratta is confident there will be no reprisals.

He said: “It was a transfer with very high numbers, so it’s only natural there was an investigation.

“We acted in full respect of the rules, replied to the Fifa questions and are confident there will be no disciplinary action.”

Raiola has always maintained the deal was conducted properly. The investigations are understood to centre on alleged thirdparty ownership of Pogba’s economic rights, which Raiola has denied. Third-party ownership became illegal in 2015.

Any possible repercussions against Raiola would depend on the Italian Football Federation taking action in event of any findings against Juventus.

A Fifa spokesman explained: “Speaking in general terms, only the associations are responsible for the potential impositions of sanctions to intermediaries that infringe the regulations on working with intermediaries outlined in article nine.”

Article nine states: “Associations are responsible for the imposition of sanctions on any party under their jurisdiction that violates the provisions of these regulations, their statutes or regulations.

“Associations are obliged to publish accordingly and to inform Fifa of any disciplinary sanctions taken against any intermediary. The Fifa Disciplinary Committee will then decide on the extension of the sanction to have worldwide effect in accordance with the Fifa Disciplinary Code.” Daily Mail

Paul Pogba has a five-year contract with Manchester United.