FIFA’s laws preventing European clubs from signing underage players are causing them a lot of trouble lately. One African player, in particular, has taken it upon himself to sue FIFA because their rules will not allow him to pursue a career in Europe. Young recruits from African countries have become an essential facet of European football, though they rarely affect online soccer odds..
However, for a long time now, European clubs have been prohibited by FIFA from recruiting minors, the idea being to protect them from the rigors of the game. A 17-year-old African football player has refused to bow to FIFA’s rules on the matter.
Instead, he is taking the organization to court, accusing them of debilitating his chances of finding success as a footballer in Europe. FIFA enforces its rules regarding underage players more often than most people think.
It was actually just a month ago when Spain’s football federation attracted the ire of FIFA. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, the country’s most famous clubs, came under fire for signing underage players. As a result, Spain’s football federation was fined $216,000.
FIFA is very serious about the rules regarding minors; in fact, those rules have become tougher in recent times. Just last year, the age required for an international transfer certificate shifted from 12 to 10.
The minor in this situation is complaining that he has a chance to make considerable progress as a footballer, and FIFA’s rules are preventing him from taking advantage of this unique opportunity. So, with the support of his parents, the young athlete has chosen to take legal action against FIFA.
This particular minor, it should be noted, has chosen to stay out of the limelight. Attempts to determine his name, nationality or even the European club he had his eye on were rebuffed.
All CNN could determine when they contacted him was the fact that he had played for his country’s youth football teams on a number of occasions. All communication with the minor has been performed on his behalf by a legal firm.
In the statement the firm released, they rejected FIFA’s assertion that they were only looking to protect minors. Rather, they accused FIFA of using its regulations as a pretext to discriminate against footballers from countries outside of Europe, especially third world countries.
The Firm, Nater Dallafior Rechtsanwlte AG admitted that it would be a while before the case received any sort of resolution; however, they were willing to keep fighting for as long as was required to get their client the verdict he wanted.
FIFA had nothing to say about the issue, primarily because they had not yet been informed about the claim.
FIFA’s rules about underage players are very strict, especially for individuals outside Europe. Minors (below 18) can only play for European clubs if their parents have moved to the country where the football club is situated and for reasons that have nothing to do with football.
FIFA isn’t going to budge on its rules. They have proven in the past how obstinate they can be, and they are unlikely to bow to pressure of this sort; as such, it will be interesting to see how this case plays out.
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