German clubs are ‘child snatchers’
THE transfers of two 13-year-olds to Bundesliga clubs Hoffenheim and VfL Wolfsburg have triggered a row over “child snatching” by top German clubs.
The two players, from Berlin and Hamburg, will now move to Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg respectively, hundreds of miles from their homes, albeit with the full support of their parents.
St Pauli youth director Joachim Philipkowski said of the departure of their player: “He will be taken out of his familiar environment. I do not think this is the right way.”
Several other teams, as well as the Bundesliga and German FA have expressed concern and league managing director Holger Hieronymus said: “There used to be a gentlemen’s agreement that one should not take away talent. Therefore there is the wish to have such an agreement again.”
Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg have defended their actions, saying such transfers were common practice in every other major European league.
“I don’t know what this hypocrisy is all about,” said Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath. “You have to get the players early if you want to develop them.”
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