Everton FC News: Leeds United call for points to be docked over Luke Garbutt signing

Sep 9 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC News: LEEDS UNITED have called for “predator” Premier League clubs to be docked points for poaching young stars as the fall-out to Everton’s capture of Luke Garbutt continues.

A tribunal ruled on Monday that the Goodison outfit may eventually have to pay in excess of £1million for the 16-year-old defender, who opted to move from Elland Road in the summer.

Everton had initially offered £200,000 for Garbutt but the panel, mindful of the furore surrounding Chelsea’s signing of French teenager Gael Kakuta, came down significantly in favour of Leeds.

The Yorkshire club will receive £600,000 up front – which could rise by an additional £750,000 if certain clauses are triggered – after Garbutt signed his first professional contract at Goodison despite spending eight years at the Leeds Academy.

There will be a further additional payment of £200,000 if the player makes a senior international appearance, while Leeds would also receive 20% of any profit should Garbutt be sold on.

Having seen Garbutt become the latest player to slip through their fingers, Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey insists there should be a full review of the youth transfer system.

“Compensation awards, we feel, are no longer a sufficient deterrent – and perhaps now is the time to start considering points deductions,” he said.

“We need to arrive at a system whereby in any transfer there is a willing buyer, willing seller and willing player. If we’d had an option we would have chosen to keep the player. We feel we were deprived of the opportunity to develop the player to his full potential.

“We now appeal to the football authorities to mount a combined review of the registration system in place domestically to provide further financial assurances for clubs who lose players to predator clubs.”

Garbutt, who plays at left-back, has England under-17 honours and has already appeared for Everton’s reserve team this season.

And despite the relatively hefty fee for a 16-year-old, Everton’s academy manager Ray Hall is confident it will prove money well spent.

“This is very much a transfer for the future for Everton,” said Hall. “It’s not an uncommon move to make – many Premier League clubs invest in young talent with a view to nurturing and developing them.

“We are all delighted to have Luke at the club – he is an excellent prospect and he will be allowed to mature and learn his trade with our Academy staff and players.

“I know the manager will be keeping an eye on his progress, as he does with all our boys, and if he looks ready to make the next step up then he may get his chance. We have shown as a club on a regular basis that we are prepared to give youngsters an opportunity at Everton.”

Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar eased fears over his fitness by playing the full 90 minutes in South Africa’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Ireland in Limerick last night.

Pienaar, who was the visitors’ outstanding performer, had limped off the field against Germany at the weekend with a groin problem.

The Irish won the game with a 37th minute goal from Liam Lawrence.

Jack Rodwell was also in action for England U21s in their 1-1 draw in Greece.