Reggina rage at Chelsea ‘theft’

[D-Kin]

Reggina rage at Chelsea ‘theft’ Tuesday 19 February, 2008

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Reggina President Lillo Foti is fuming after Chelsea lured young Amaranto star Vincenzo Camilleri to Stamford Bridge.

The 16-year-old defender was a member of Reggina’s youth side but he went AWOL before a Primavera game last week.

It has emerged that Camilleri travelled to London with his mother and agent and has been in contract talks with Chelsea.

“As a club we have tried to defend our asset for our own interests as well as those of Italian football as a whole,” Foti lamented.

“We were also trying to follow Italian Football Federation recommendations by showing support for our youth side, but another young talent has been stolen away.

“This happened because it was a club of Chelsea’s size, but now we will be asking the FIGC to help us search for compensation and to launch a complaint.”

Chelsea are likely to offer Reggina a payment to end the matter outside the courtroom, but the ill-feeling is likely to linger.

channel4.com - Football Italia

English clubs are making a habit of this.

[Jager]

English clubs don't know how to develop young talent. There only going there for money.

[D-Kin]

It's happening too often, something needs to be done.

English teams are taking advantage of weak laws in other European countries.

[Jager]

They'll fix it eventually Joel. I don't think Italian clubs are too worried to be honest.

[D-Kin]

Reggina extend Chelsea complaint Wednesday 20 February, 2008

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Reggina have banned Chelsea from training with ‘poached’ player Vincenzo Camilleri in an increasingly bitter legal battle.

The 15-year-old was not under a professional contract with the Amaranto because he is still under-age according to the Italian rules and was set to put pen to paper on his birthday in March.

However, Chelsea swooped in with an offer and have snatched him away, infuriating the Calabrian club.

"He preferred to travel to London with his mother and some sort of agent to reach a financial agreement with Chelsea," said Reggina President Lillo Foti.

"We see this is an action of disloyalty and ungentlemanly conduct."

They had warned of legal action and a complaint to FIFA, but another statement was released this evening.

“Reggina Calcio S.p.A., having become aware of Chelsea FC’s use of player Vincenzo Camilleri, announce they have taken legal action to stop the London club from using the player even in training sessions, as he is to this day registered with our side.

“We also inform that this ban has been copied to FIFA, UEFA and the FIGC so they can take the necessary action to ensure the rules are respected.”

channel4.com - Football Italia

[Sven]

Find it funny tbh,

How RA swoops in with a helicopter to snatch the boy .

blah blah it happens, all clubs do it, not just English clubs.

In an open letter published by Corriere dello Sport, the Camilleri family said: "President Foti knew everything and that at the end of January we had met with Chelsea.

"We are not going to London for money, Reggina offered more."

The Camilleris also made it clear they were furious with the comments made by Foti over the way they were treating Vincenzo and claims they were gambling with their son's future by taking him to Chelsea.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by Sven

Find it funny tbh,

How RA swoops in with a helicopter to snatch the boy .

blah blah it happens, all clubs do it, not just English clubs.

The fact that other teams do it doesn't make it right, even though in my opinion the majority of these high profile 'steals' involve English clubs. They're just taking advantage of shit European laws.

You're right though, it is funny. The fact that clubs like Chelsea can't develop their own talent and have to rob players of little old Reggina is simply laughable.

[Sven]

We made the best every cpt in European football today, can't ask for more.

If the kid wants to play for us , it's not Chelsea fault, if they rubbish rules aren't changed, we will keep doing it. Fair play.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by Sven

We made the best every cpt in European football today, can't ask for more.

Who? Maldini? I can't remember that?

Ok so you've named one player - wow. The academy seems to be struggling now though given that you're chasing children across Europe.

Originally Posted by Sven

If the kid wants to play for us , it's not Chelsea fault.

Yeah, because a 15 year old child knows what's best for him.

[D-Kin]

Originally Posted by Sven

if they rubbish rules aren't changed, we will keep doing it. Fair play.

And why is it you have to take advantage of rubbish rules?

Because you're just not good enough.

[Sven]

His parents know,

Good enough, we do have our own youth products, who are doing just fine.

[D-Kin]

His mother doesn't know anything, she just wants him to play for the biggest club possible.

You have you're own youth products? Well I never see them play for the first team....

[Sven]

Because they are not ready, we need to win things.

[D-Kin]

Don't give me that crap.

Your academy has been running for years and the only player of any note that's made it in the Chelsea first team is Terry. Just admit your shortcomings and move on.

And if anything you need to spend less money and start developing your own talent.

[Sven]

Which is what we are doing, steady progression. Our academy structure is in place, as term of production we are way behind the big guns like Villa, Man City, West ham and even Southampton.

I can tell you we have excellent training facilities, one best in Europe, it's a big attraction for these kids, to move from poor facilities to fantastic one.

I guess it's a shame that big clubs still need to pick youngsters up for nominal fees because it's a better option to a player they have in there squad, but the attitude I have is, I rather we get the player then Arsenal.. that quite frankly is what the other big clubs attitude is.