Football transfer solution near

A solution to the transfer dispute between the European

A solution to the transfer dispute between the European

Commission (EC) and world football leaders is only weeks away FIFA secretary general Michel Zen-Ruffinen said today.

An upbeat Zen-Ruffinen, speaking at the Football Expo trade show in Cannes, forecast that an agreement in principle could be reached with the EC as early as next month.

"I have strong hope that what we are now proposing will be accepted. I am convinced that in three or four weeks we will be able to convince the EC on what we believe is a fair proposal," said Zen-Ruffinen.

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The EC insists the current transfer system has to be revamped as it contravenes existing European laws on the free movement of labour but UEFA, rulers of European football, are concerned that an end to transfer fees and the ability of players to end contracts at will could seriously damage the smaller clubs in the continent.

Zen-Ruffinen said that the EC and football leaders had already reached agreement in five areas - players able to move at the end of their contract without transfer fees having to be paid, a ban on transfers of players under 18 years, rights for clubs to be properly compensated for developing a player, a new independent arbitration system and 'one transfer a year' limit for players.

But Zen-Ruffinen declined to go into details on the key issue of how long players can be contracted for.

AFP