FIFA Youth Soccer Ban Bad News…It’s Bigger Than Europe

The FIFA youth soccer license problem is growing to scandal proportions. A few months ago we learned about Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. And of course, the infamous Football Club Barcelona and The Masia “shutdown”.

Sadly, the FIFA article has been affecting more than just a few European children caught in the red tape. The collateral damage now stretches thousands of miles across the Atlantic to the United States and Mexico.

A Hispanic youth soccer organization with over 30,000 players, Alianza de Futbol Hispano, helps mainly Mexican-American youth soccer players with tournaments and exchange programs between the US and Mexico has reported many of their young footballers are being held back by the US Soccer Federation citing a clumsy FIFA Article 19 rule. Richard Copeland, President of Alianza, spoke with the founder of FairPlay4Kids.org, Mark Lugo.

“We at Alianza like to remain neutral between federations because our organization is about the children playing the sport”, said Copeland. “The Mexican-American youth players should have every right to play in the US and or Mexico. A federation or FIFA should not determine that eligibility and where the child should play”, he added.

FairPlay4Kids.org informed Alianza that the organization will approach the federations in Mexico as well as the US Soccer Federation regarding this clear act against children’s rights. “This is a complete violation of children’s rights without question, especially in the United States”, stated Lugo. “If a child and his parent agree that Mexico is where they want to be, then the US needs to honor the transfer request and Mexican federations should accept the request. It’s about honoring the child’s request and where HE wants to play”, he continued.

Currently, Alianza de Futbol Hispano, is dealing with at least 15 players who have been denied the transfer to their native Mexico. Apparently both sides fear sanctions from FIFA via Article 19. Teams like Chivas in Mexico are steering clear from any possible FIFA sanctions. They obviously know that the Article is bigger than Europe. It’s a worldwide net to keep teams from exploiting one of two kids per year. The rule is clear, but it’s not accurate and it’s not made for a modern world. People travel in a modern world. People move and relocate in a modern world. People, more than ever and are self-employed more than ever. Requesting a parent’s employment contract to allow a child to transfer to a new market is clearly silly and harmful. But most of all it’s discriminatory and it violates children rights. Article 19 is in need of a serious overhaul. But first, FIFA needs to at least pick up the phone when organizations like FairPlay4Kids call to explain the damage the article is causing. Now, all of over the world.