Liverpool & Man United accuse the Sky Blues of dodgy academy deals [Times]By Benjamin Newman
Friday, November 25th, 2016 08:40The Times have an exclusive story on Friday morning that could be the start of a youth war between the likes of Liverpool and Man United versus Man City.
While “the Premier League has yet to receive a formal complaint”, the broadsheet reveals that that Liverpool have a “grievance” with the Sky Blues over their recruitment policies for kids.
Liverpool are joined by Man United and Everton on their side of the argument, while the Reds have a specific gripe with City.
Detailing the general framework of the issue at hand, the Times report:
[Liverpool] lost highly rated under-15 goalkeeper Louie Moulden to City last summer, a transfer yet to be ratified by the Premier League and which it is investigating following their introduction of a new Five Step Process for moves between Category One academies last season.
Manchester United and Everton are also believed to have expressed unhappiness about City and, along with Liverpool, discussed refusing to play them at junior level after complaining of fixtures being swamped by opposition scouts seeking to recruit their players.
So what are Man City actually accused of?Premier League clubs are not allowed to transfer youth players unless “there are sound footballing reasons for a player moving between Category One clubs”.
The suggestion is that City are unfairly turning the heads of kids to join their club from rivals, thanks to off-the-field benefits. That may include schooling, as the Times detail the following:
City’s relationship with the £11,000-a-year independent school St Bede’s College in Manchester is being examined following complaints that the club promise to fund the private education of anyone enrolling at their Academy up to the age of 18 even if they leave the football programme earlier. It has also been claimed that the club pay for the education of siblings.
In another telling comment, the Times note how Man City are top of a ‘Poachers Table’ which is being compiled by the Premier League under the radar.
If City are found guilty of wrongdoing, the Sky Blues could be slapped with a fine of £25,000 or the matter could be sent to an Independent Commission, which has a greater range of sanctions.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/news/liverpool-man-united-accuse-the-sky-blues-of-dodgy-academy-deals-times/ It was only a matter of time before they started behaving like this. £25k? Owners can find that down the back of their couch.