Young J'can player departs for Valencia

[Bill Moravek]

Zeppo is correct. If they do not have EU passports there parents will need to move to Spain with them in order for this to happen as they are under the age of 18. FIFA are very strict with this now but I hope it works out for them.

[Bill Moravek]

It doesn't matter in this case...if they are going to be registered officially to a European Academy then they will have to have EU passports or have there parents with them. Unless they are not going to be officially registered with the academy then perhaps they can just go to school and participate in some sessions as guests maybe.

[Willi]

Never heard about Student visa or resident permit???

The Swiss are not EU but have a bilateral accord, so that is another violation of your rule.

[Gamma]

which has been exploited over the years .... players to to switzerland and gain swiss residency/citizenship .....

[Hortical]

If the youths a go to a FIFA registered football academy then dem U-18 policies might come into effect.

[Bill Moravek]

Exactly. It isn't possible to go over just like that. It is a very complicated process. And if you are under 18 it is extremely challenging which is why a student visa would not be enough.

[Bill Moravek]

Many of these kids that used to be brought in to the clubs by dishonest agents are now living on the streets. If they didn't make it, they had no way to get back home and agents didn't care. That is one of the many reasons why FIFA put the new rules in place.

[Zeppo]

Two young American brothers were recently accepted to Barcelona's youth academy. Their family relocated there with them.

http://www.barcelonausa.com/

[Karl]

Residency

I would assume that all the necessary 'ducks are in a row'! ...and Valencia would have made sure of that!

Why else would Valencia take them?

[Bill Moravek]

I guess we will see soon enough...I hope so.

[Bill Moravek]

That is great for them. Looks like they have some background there so it makes it easy for their parents to move over.

We will be moving over proabably as early as February 1 as well for my two. Both Arsenal and Fulham want them both. More to come soon.

[Hortical]

Great news for you. And as you know there is no guarantee they will receive a professional contract at 17/18.

[Bill Moravek]

Exactly. Anyone thinking that their child WILL be a pro is merely dreaming. You need to work hard, stay healthy, surround yourself by the right people, have some luck, and all the stars have to line up just right....so you better get your education. And even if you do make it...the average career lasts 2-4 years. So you make some money but then you have to use your education for when your career is finished.

[Mosiah]

19 Protection of minors

1. International transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18.
2. The following three exceptions to this rule apply:
a) The player’s parents move to the country in which the new club is
located for reasons not linked to football;

Are you moving for reasons not linked to football, Bill?

[Karl]

Gamma,
What do you think about this comment - As far as enforcement is concerned, some of those rules FIFA has laid down are but a figment of the persons at FIFA imagination!

---

Can FIFA win in the courts on some of those such as 'no child under 18 signed unless...'... these quoted by Mosiah are met?

19 Protection of minors

1. International transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18.
2. The following three exceptions to this rule apply:
a) The player’s parents move to the country in which the new club is
located for reasons not linked to football;

Anyway could it be that if the parents and the club are as one accord can FIFA do anything more than fume?

Who would be there to make a complaint or substantiate one?
Just asking!