Barcelona yesterday won a £2.1 million lawsuit against Fran Merida, Arsenal's 17-year-old midfield player, which could have serious implications for other clubs in Britain.
The court in Spain ruled that Merida, who quit Barcelona after eight years in 2005 and joined Arsenal less than a year later, had infringed his contract with the Primera Liga club.
"The ruling recognises the rights of the clubs that are educating and raising children," Ferran Soriano, the Barcelona vice-president, said.
Merida, whose only Arsenal first-team appearance came in the Carling Cup defeat of Newcastle last month, plans to appeal the decision. But if the Catalan club's court victory is upheld, it could prove disastrous for some British teams. In the UK, players can sign professional contracts at 16, two years earlier than in Spain, with the result that a number of Spanish teenagers have joined Premier League teams in the past four years, including Cesc Fabregas, who also left Barcelona for Arsenal, and Gerard Pique, who went to Manchester United.
"English teams will now think again before signing a young Spanish player," Madrid-based lawyer Rodrigo Garcia said. "It's an important ruling."
Barcelona say they now plan to sue 16-year-old striker Daniel Pacheco, who joined Liverpool in July after four years in the amateur ranks of the Spanish team. Both Liverpool and Arsenal declined to comment on the Merida ruling.
The court in Spain ruled that Merida, who quit Barcelona after eight years in 2005 and joined Arsenal less than a year later, had infringed his contract with the Primera Liga club.
"The ruling recognises the rights of the clubs that are educating and raising children," Ferran Soriano, the Barcelona vice-president, said.
Merida, whose only Arsenal first-team appearance came in the Carling Cup defeat of Newcastle last month, plans to appeal the decision. But if the Catalan club's court victory is upheld, it could prove disastrous for some British teams. In the UK, players can sign professional contracts at 16, two years earlier than in Spain, with the result that a number of Spanish teenagers have joined Premier League teams in the past four years, including Cesc Fabregas, who also left Barcelona for Arsenal, and Gerard Pique, who went to Manchester United.
"English teams will now think again before signing a young Spanish player," Madrid-based lawyer Rodrigo Garcia said. "It's an important ruling."
Barcelona say they now plan to sue 16-year-old striker Daniel Pacheco, who joined Liverpool in July after four years in the amateur ranks of the Spanish team. Both Liverpool and Arsenal declined to comment on the Merida ruling.
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