Manchester United have denied any wrongdoing in the signing of Paul Pogba from Le Havre this summer.
The French outfit were unhappy after United signed their 16-year-old , dubbing United’s tactics as a “foolish act”.
It is now expected that La Havre will approach FIFA, in the wake of the world governing body’s decision to ban Chelsea from signing any players until July 2011 after the Blues were alleged to have induced Gael Kakuta to break his contract with another French club, Lens.
Pogba’s registration with United has not yet been ratified by FIFA.
United have always denied they have done anything wrong in signing Pogba.
“It is complete nonsense,” a spokesman for United said. “Everything has been done within UEFA guidelines.”
However, Le Havre managing director Alain Belsoeur claims to have documentation showing Manchester United offered inducements for Pogba to join them.
“We are still pursuing our case,” Belsoeur told The Times. “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 €5m on our academy every year out of a turnover of €12m. 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.”
At the time of the Pogba signing, Le Havre stated: “Le Havre wishes to express its indignation regarding the dealings of Manchester United’s directors. This foolish act is even more unacceptable because it comes from a club with such stature. At a time when numerous parties, including at European Union level… are speaking out against the trading of minors, Manchester United does not hesitate to uproot a 16-year-old.”
