The Football governing bodies are finally clamping down on the sport’s big boys – and about time too.
Fifa have banned Premier League billionaires Chelsea from signing players for two transfer windows after being found guilty of “inducing” Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens in 2007.
The London club have predictably promised to launch “the strongest possible appeal” against the decision – and they will no doubt have the punishment halved after the ceremonial dance.
But signs are good that at last the powers-that-be are taking notice of the daylight robbery that routinely occurs between those who can and those who never will.
Too often Manchester United, Manchester City or A.N other come in and swipe youngsters from under the noses of smaller clubs.
This after the smaller club has invested time and resources on brining the youngster through their ranks and into near adulthood.
Questions must now surely follow about the business of other clubs and their talent poaching.
Manchester United have already been accused of a similar misdemeanour in signing Paul Pogba from French club Le Havre.
Le Havre say Pogba, 16, had agreed to play for them in the 2009/10 season and that they will ask world governing body Fifa to investigate the matter.
The move to ban Chelsea comes after another positive decision to rock the footballing world – the suspension of Eduardo after the Brazilian was found guilty of “deceiving the referee”.
This time it was Uefa who were doing the public throwing of the rule book after Eduardo was adjudged to have taken a dive to win Arsenal a penalty in their Champions League clash against Celtic.
The midfielder received a two match ban for his troubles. Arguably a harsh decision considering simulation is a yellow card offence when the referee spots it, but Uefa have set a precedent now and one that may make the belly-floppers think twice before hitting the deck.
Perhaps football has learnt a lesson from the shadow still hanging over rugby union following the ‘Bloodgate’ scandal.
Harlequins’ Tom Williams was found to be using a joke shop style capsule to simulate a blood injury and force an extra substitution.
Boss Dean Richards has taken the brunt of the blame, but other heads may yet roll in a shame that has seriously damaged the reputation of the game.
When did sport completely detach itself from good sportsmanship? As your mother once told you when you were knee high to a grasshopper, it’s only a game after all.
Sean Wozencroft is the newest member of the Advertiser team and will be writing regular blogs on www.newportadvertiser.com
