Neymar move to PSG prompts Fifpro to call for investigation

FIFA transfer rules have been challenged by international players' association Fifpro after French outfit Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made a world-record deal signing Neymar for $263 million from FC Barcelona.

Fifpro has demanded an investigation into "anti-competitive, unjustified and illegal" Fifa transfer rules, according to a Guardian report.

Neymar on Thursday inked a five-year deal with the Ligue 1 side after the player's representatives paid a record buy-out clause of 222 million euros ($263 million).

According to the report, Barcelona have submitted the details of the transaction to UEFA, the sport's governing body in Europe, with a view to determining whether there are any "disciplinary responsibilities" concerning Financial Fair Play (FFP).

On Friday, Fifpro General Secretary Theo van Seggelen said there has been a domain of a select group of rich, mostly European-based clubs who are dominating football at the moment.

In a statement, he said: "Fifpro is calling on the European Commission to investigate the flow of money via transfer fees within the EU territory to understand their impact on competitive balance in the region."

"The world-record transfer of the Brazilian Neymar from Barcelona to Paris St Germain is the latest example of how football is ever more the domain of a select group of rich, mostly European-based clubs."

Van Seggelen added that they have asked the European Commission to launch a thorough investigation into the matter.

"Given much of football's financial activity occurs within Europe, where significant transfer fees are exchanged between clubs, Fifpro is asking the European Commission to launch of thorough investigation of the transfer rules it approved in 2001 and which are now in need of urgent review," he said.

"Stimulating reform of the current transfer system rules is a priority for Fifpro in order to protect the rights of players as workers and safeguard the best interests of the game," he added.

--IANS

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