Keep The Heels On

(Image from here)

More on the Paul Pogba thing in the papers today. This from The Guardian is the most informative:

Manchester United are preparing a counter-claim to Fifa to secure the release of Paul Pogba, the French youth international they are accused of poaching from French club Le Havre, and remain confident of avoiding any sanction. The player is unable to play for either Le Havre or Manchester United until the French Football Federation releases his registration, following a row over the player's future that has become emblematic of widespread concern over the international market for young players.

Although Le Havre say the player had signed an "accord de non sollicitation" agreement, a document by which a player effectively agrees to sign a full professional contract when he turns 16, United are convinced that the agreement is not legally enforceable.

Insiders at Old Trafford believe there is a fundamental difference between the Pogba case and that of Gael Kakuta, the young player that Chelsea are accused of "stealing" from Lens.

However, Chelsea maintain that the pre-contract signed by Kakuta is similarly unenforceable and will make that a key plank of their appeal. Alain Belsoeur, Le Havre's managing director, admitted that the two cases were not directly analogous but insisted the "fundamentals" were "very, very similar".

At the end of the article is a little sign that the whole thing is in danger of becoming a bit of a witch-hunt:

It was also reported yesterday that the Italian club Fiorentina have made a complaint about United's recent move for the defender Michele Fornasier. The Serie A club's case is weakened by the fact that they did not have the 16-year-old under contract.

Yeah, him not being under contract does seem to weaken it slightly, so why report it?
The other main story is Sir Alex commenting on the Eduardo thing. Here's what he said:

"It was a high-profile game and something has to be done," Ferguson said after a Uefa-organised conference of some of Europe's top club coaches.

"[In a big game] it creates an incredible reaction from the media and public in these instances," he said
But Ferguson added: "I would not criticise one of my own players publicly. When you make public criticism of your players, you damage morale. Your job is to keep it [the dressing room] solid."
"Arsène's point of view is a good one which is 'Where do we stop?' " said Ferguson.

And how do these comments get reported in The Times:

Sir Alex Ferguson has continued his war of words with Arsène Wenger by staunchly defending Uefa’s decision to ban Eduardo da Silva for two matches for diving. ...
Having spoken respectfully of Wenger in the build-up to United’s 2-1 league victory last Saturday, Ferguson’s tune appears to have changed after the Arsenal manager accused his team of “anti-football” tactics.

Grasping at straws perhaps? Some comments including the words, "Arsène's point of view is a good one," is portrayed as a "war of words?"
The Mail humorously give themselves a bit of credit for Sir Alex's words:

Ferguson has thrown his weight behind the decision. It comes hot on the heels of the No Diving campaign launched by Sportsmail this week.

Sir Alex goes on to talk more generally of diving:

"I don't think any coach is proud of it when players simulate to get decisions.'' he said. "A coach can't be proud if his team have won that way.'

"Nobody can proud. A player can't be proud one hour afterwards when he sits with his brothers and sisters and father and mother.

"You have to remember five-year-olds are watching.'' said Ferguson

"Players in a Sunday team do it. It happens at five or six years old. We all have a responsibility on how it influences young people.

"It's a very difficult area because I think in the last 15 years it has crept into the game and it is not acceptable.

"I think we have to combat this by educating the players and by getting them to understand the gravity of the offence and what it does for the well being of the game.

"We all agree that education is the best way forward, from the youth team to the first team players.''

Just one more story to cover. A few days after the transfer window closes, The Sun has an "interesting" story about Rio Ferdinand moving to Spain:

MANCHESTER UNITED are heading for a Ronaldo-style battle to hang on to Rio Ferdinand. The England defender is a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid - and knows a move to Spain will boost his growing business career.

Ferdinand is under contract until 2013 but United could be tempted to cash in on a player who is 30 and who has suffered from recent injury problems.

A move to Spain would give brand Rio the kind of platform both David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo have exploited at Madrid.

A source revealed: "Rio can see the sense of it.

"Not only would it be a fresh challenge as he nears the end of his career, it would also fit all his projects off the pitch.

"Rio has big business plans, which are already taking shape, and would really take off if he moved to one of the big Spanish clubs."

Yawns...