Manchester City Facing FIFA Ban For Minor Exploitation.

By Ewah Chika.

Velez Sarsfield has revealed they have lodged a formal complaint to FIFA after Manchester City attempted to sign an under-aged Argentine schoolboy by name Benjamin Garre from them.

Velez claim City had breached FIFA's regulation when trying to sign the youngster at 15 which is prohibited by FIFA as it represents minor transfers. This is coming at a time FIFA made it almost extremely difficult for European clubs to sign players outside the European Union and who are under 18 so as to tackle or discourage the exploitation of minors.


This is exactly the same reason the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been banned from signing players for two transfer windows although both clubs are currently appealing the decision. Barcelona on their part are not left out as they Catalan club were banned from fielding signed players for two transfer windows - 2015 summer and 2016 winter.

Velez have revealed that Txiki Begiristain (City's Director of Football) signed  the proposal that City tried to use and sign Garre which stipulated the payment of €50,000 for the player which will be increased to €1.05 million as add on's pending when the player debuts for City and his subsequent appearances.

"I have never experienced such an immoral act. City offered money to take a 15-year-old child who is in the middle of his stage of development.

"We don't  know what they offered the father and the child in order to convince them. In Velez, we defend values and act in good faith. We are not interested in collecting €50,000 or €1 million if said action is prohibited and may affect the player," Raul Gamez, Velez President said .

City on their part have defended their actions claiming Garre has an Italian passport which allows him to be signed on his 16th birthday. If this is proven, then City have nothing to fear as Section 19 of FIFA Regulation on status and transfer of players allows players to be internationally signed before aged 18 on three occasions which includes.

That the player's parents move to the city of his proposed signing due to work reasons.

Secondly, when the transfer is to a club within 50 km of the border of the country.

Thirdly, if the transfer goes within the European Union with the player 16 or above and this is where City feel Garre belongs as a result of his Italian passport.

This might appear a distraction to a City side coached by Pep Guardiola that has won all eight games this season in all completions (Premier League, League Cup and Champions League)