European ruling body to probe child player trafficking
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-14 09:10

BRUSSELS, Dec 13 (Reuters) - European soccer's governing body UEFA is launching an investigation into the alleged trafficking of child players by football agents.

Chief executive Lars-Christer Olsen said on Tuesday that UEFA had evidence of soccer 'camps' in eastern and southern Europe being used to bring children into the region illegally.

"Children as young as under 10 are being brought in with the view of eventually selling them on as players to big clubs," Olsen told a news conference.

"We intend to investigate these reports and pass the information on to the relevant authorities.

"Any club found to be involved in this will be dealt with severely."

Olsen said the information he had pointed to deals being done "at lower league clubs".

"I can't go in to specific cases or detail, but we believe it is being done lower down the chain," Olsen said.

"However, some of these players may have, or may in the future, find themselves at one of the bigger clubs."