Goal : England manager Fabio Capello has hit out at an apparent theft of talent in national sides and has called on governing bodies to put a stop to the “stealing” of players at club level.
The Italian has questioned Germany’s use of footballers with Turkish origin, especially at last year’s World Cup in South Africa, suggesting that players shouldn’t be able to acquire new passports to pick and choose which country they can play for.
He told The National: “A line needs to be drawn. Richer clubs are talent-scouting and stealing players by bidding higher and not thinking about the consequences for those countries.
“These players are acquiring new passports. Germany had five of Turkish origin who opted to represent them and we all know what happened.
“Problems need to be addressed. Decisions need to be made. Players can be bought, especially when they come from poorer backgrounds, where their families need the financial resources.
“I do not accept that, having trained as a player, a different team can pop by and steal the player from me. Uefa should pass new rules allowing people to reap the seed that’s been sown instead of having talents leave when they receive a major offer.
“I’ve spoken to Michel Platini and he’s resolute. In future, clubs will be forbidden to steal players from abroad at a very young age.”