FIFA reiterate opposition to Wimbledon move

Football's international governing body has once again stated that the proposed move by Wimbledon to Dublin will not be allowed to happen. Its rules would not allow it, a spokesman for FIFA said yesterday, and the organisation would not expect those rules to be challenged through the European Courts. Keith Cooper, FIFA's director of communications, said that matters of this nature would come under the jurisdiction of the world body rather than that of UEFA and that the federation could consider such a move only in the most extreme circumstances.

"By this we would mean a case in which a club was being discriminated against or would be forced out of existence unless an exception was made," said Cooper. "That's clearly not the situation in Wimbledon's case."

Cooper also said that this case had not been considered at any level by FIFA because "no request has been made by anybody through the correct channels", but, he adds, "the rules are quite clear so it's an administrative impossibility".

Article 59 of FIFA's rule book, which states that "Associations, leagues or clubs established within the territory of a national association affiliated to the Federation shall not be permitted to become members of another national association without the approval of the Federation and the national association in whose territory they were founded", is the clause which rules out the move. Cooper expressed the opinion yesterday that a legal challenge is unlikely because the English FA is bound by the world federation's regulations which call for such disputes to be settled through its channels.

"It's not like the Bosman case where the dispute basically came down to a matter of labour law; this is entirely different and Wimbledon would have to ask their association to bring their case to FIFA. This is not about one player, it is a question of clubs and associations following the rules and naturally we would expect them to do that."

The comments follow renewed speculation that Sam Hammam will soon confirm the club's intention to relocate here. It has been claimed in a number of newspapers' stories over the past couple of days that he will make an official announcement early in the new year.

The reports also say that he will make the announcement with the backing of FIFA, the Irish Government, as well as an assurance from EU Commissioner Padraig Flynn that European law will ensure that the move could not be prevented.

In addition to FIFA, however, representatives of both Dr Jim McDaid and Flynn were anxious to point out that neither man has ever indicated to Hammam, or any other representative of the club, their support for the proposed move.

"We're a little surprised at these reports," said Flynn's spokesperson, Barbara Nolan, yesterday. "I've seen one in the Star today and I wouldn't say that it's a fair reflection of what happened at the meeting. We did meet a delegation from the club, but he (Flynn) did not advise them in any way on what they should do.

"He has taken no position on this issue and he has not been asked to take a position on it. He was simply briefed on the situation, but we don't make spot decisions on this sort of thing. In any case, as far I can see, it may not involve European law and it would probably not fall within Commissioner Flynn's area of responsibility. I'm not sure, but it might be a competition or single market issue."

A spokesman for Dr McDaid distanced the Minister for Sport from yesterday's reports, remarking that while a meeting had taken place, "Dr McDaid's position is that he is entirely neutral on this matter".

In London, meanwhile, Merton Borough Council and the Greyhound Racing Association have completed their joint study into the feasibility of redeveloping the greyhound track adjacent to Wimbledon's old home at Plough Lane, which supermarket chain Safeway is believed to have purchased from a Hammam-controlled company for £6 million within the last few weeks, with a view to catering for the club.

"We're not at all sure what's going on at the moment," said Merton council spokesman Gene Saunders, "but we hope to meet with Mr Hammam within the next month to discuss our proposal."