Youngsters need protection

WHEN FIFA introduced a regulation in 2001 that said clubs involved in the development of players aged between 12 and 23 should be financially compensated by a buying club, young footballers became big business. The rule, however, was one that protected clubs rather than individuals, and for FIFA the more pressing issue right now is the potential exploitation and trafficking of young footballers. Nobody is suggesting Chelsea,

Manchester City or indeed the FA would not take such matters extremely seriously. But when there are reports of young African footballers being trafficked to Europe in their thousands every year — and in some cases by unscrupulous agents who defraud money from families on the promise of an offer from a club that does not exist — strict regulations

need to be in place. It is not often FIFA deserve praise but they are quite correct to demand that the movement of players under the age of 18 is closely monitored. It does not matter if a player is in a country for only a couple of weeks before being sent back when the academy coaches deem them not up to standard. Judging by the sanctions imposed yesterday, FIFA want the relevant bodies to be made aware of any such movement. And quite right too.