FIFA is reportedly investigating the transfer of Paul Pogba to Manchester United from Juventus last summer.
Last summer saw Manchester United break the world record transfer fee when they spent $111 million (£89.3 million) on Paul Pogba. It is being reported that FIFA are now investigating the transfer.
There has been no information released from FIFA outside of their intention to investigate the world-record transfer fee. Pogba joined Manchester United in the record transfer, signing a five-year deal when all was said and done. One of the more ridiculous figures involved is that Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola will make a whopping $53 million (£41 million) from the move.
Fellow United stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are both represented by Raiola as well. And aside from those three, this isn’t the first big transfer Raiola has brokered. Raiola was the agent for the likes of Dennis Bergkamp when he made his move from Ajax to Inter Milan, as well as others like Paul Nedved, Frank Rijkaard and Mario Balotelli.
#BREAKING FIFA to investigate Paul Pogba's Manchester United transfer
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 9, 2017
This isn’t the first massive transfer that FIFA have opened an investigation on. The transfer of Neymar to Barcelona was investigated for fraud. Much of the paperwork and possible hidden fees that were involved in that transfer came under question by soccer’s governing body. Whether or nor the same issues exist with the Pogba transfer is yet to be seen. But with transfers getting bigger and bigger, and agents taking massive kickbacks for brokering the deals, FIFA is smart to be diligent with each of these record-setting fees.
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The main problem Neymar was facing was that DIS, the agency holding 40 percent of the Neymar’s rights, were not paid the proper amount from the transfer fee. They accused Neymar, and Barcelona, of not declaring the whole transfer fee. An accusation such as this can result in hefty fines for both player and club, and even jail time for those involved.