City deny poaching allegation

Manchester City say they "acted within the rules" as Fifa investigate a claim that they unlawfully induced a highly-rated French youngster to break his contract. The French side Rennes have complained over their signing of Jeremy Helan, 17, in February. They claim the left back, feted as the "next Patrice Evra", had a pre-contract agreement with them at the age of 13 - although there is an ongoing civil court case between Helan and Rennes over this issue.

City deny any wrongdoing and feel they will not suffer the same fate as Chelsea, who have been banned from signing new players until January 2011 after being found guilty of poaching the French winger Gael Kakuta from Lens. In a statement, the club said: "The dispute between the player and the club [Rennes] pre-dates any interest from Manchester City. Manchester City obviously cannot comment on the case until the French judicial process has run its course, however, we are comfortable that we have acted within the rules."

Players from European Union countries are able to move to Britain on academy or scholarship contracts at 16, and can sign full professional contracts a year later. As Fifa now look into City's case, Chelsea have appealed their own ruling and the severity of their punishment has led to claims about other young players similarly being lured away. Manchester United have threatened to sue another French side, Le Havre, over accusations that they acted illegally in the signing of Paul Pogba, 16.

A tribunal ruled on Monday that Everton should pay Leeds up to £1.5 million (Dh9m) in compensation for Luke Garbutt. Ken Bates, the Leeds chairman, had accused the Toffees of "nicking" the England youth international after he had come through their academy. [e-mail]