UEFA to limit ‘youth trafficking’

PREMIER LEAGUE clubs’ growing practice of sweeping the globe for promising teenagers is under threat from UEFA, who are targeting new rules aimed at limiting the transfer of players under 18.

There has been increasing concern that the top clubs in England, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France are creaming off the best young players from other countries, following the success of Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal, while in other leagues players are being brought in from Africa, South America and eastern Europe.

UEFA president Michel Platini is now considering making a proposal to compel young players to sign their first professional contract at the club where they have trained.