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By Simon Stone, Press Association Sport Chief Football Writer
FIFA have cleared Paul Pogba to join Manchester United.
The teenager has been caught up in a battle between United and Le Havre, which appeared to have similarities with the case that has landed Chelsea with a ban on signing players for the next two transfer windows.
At one point, with Le Havre president Jean-Pierre Louvel becoming so vitriolic in his statements, United felt compelled to issue a warning for him to keep quiet or risk being taken to court.
And the Old Trafford outfit have been vindicated in their stance after a judge, appointed by FIFA to rule on the case, upheld United's verdict that Pogba could not have been offered financial inducements to breaking a contract - because he didn't have one.
Le Havre insisted inducements had been offered to break a contract, something the club immediately denied, a stance reinforced by Sir Alex Ferguson, who insisted it has never been club policy to pay the parents of players, as had been alleged.
In fact, the argument never even got that far as the judge decided Pogba was still an amateur because he had never received anything beyond normal expenses to play for the club.
And, because of his age, Le Havre could not have got an agreement for him to sign a professional contract anyway.
In delivering his judgment, the judge wholly accepted Manchester United's argument as to why international transfer clearance should be issued immediately, dismissing all Le Havre's submissions.
"Manchester United is pleased to confirm that the Football Association has been authorised by FIFA to register Paul Pogba as a Manchester United player with immediate effect," said a statement released by the club this evening.
FIFA have cleared Paul Pogba to join Manchester United.
The teenager has been caught up in a battle between United and Le Havre, which appeared to have similarities with the case that has landed Chelsea with a ban on signing players for the next two transfer windows.
At one point, with Le Havre president Jean-Pierre Louvel becoming so vitriolic in his statements, United felt compelled to issue a warning for him to keep quiet or risk being taken to court.
And the Old Trafford outfit have been vindicated in their stance after a judge, appointed by FIFA to rule on the case, upheld United's verdict that Pogba could not have been offered financial inducements to breaking a contract - because he didn't have one.
Le Havre insisted inducements had been offered to break a contract, something the club immediately denied, a stance reinforced by Sir Alex Ferguson, who insisted it has never been club policy to pay the parents of players, as had been alleged.
In fact, the argument never even got that far as the judge decided Pogba was still an amateur because he had never received anything beyond normal expenses to play for the club.
And, because of his age, Le Havre could not have got an agreement for him to sign a professional contract anyway.
In delivering his judgment, the judge wholly accepted Manchester United's argument as to why international transfer clearance should be issued immediately, dismissing all Le Havre's submissions.
"Manchester United is pleased to confirm that the Football Association has been authorised by FIFA to register Paul Pogba as a Manchester United player with immediate effect," said a statement released by the club this evening.