Liverpool managed to poach high-profile 16-year-old starlet N'Gumoha from Chelsea this summer, a move that not only heightened tensions between the Reds and the Blues but also led to a banning fiasco between the two clubs, according to the Mail.
Chelsea have reportedly banned Liverpool scouts from watching Chelsea matches at their Cobham training base due to Liverpool's poaching. The ban is not limited to Liverpool, as Manchester United have also been banned from watching Chelsea matches for trying to sign the England youth international.
Tensions are mounting between Liverpool and Chelsea ahead of today's showdown. The Chelsea side have rejected an application for accreditation from Liverpool scouts in response to the Reds' previous trolling behavior. And the Reds side may also consider imposing the same ban if Chelsea attempt to enter Liverpool's AXA training center to watch the game.
However, Anfield insiders are relatively relaxed about the matter. They may believe that this is just a hiccup in the battle for youth players and not enough to affect the overall relationship between the two clubs. But this ban fiasco, if it continues, could be a breach of the Premier League's Youth Development Rule 247. This clause clearly states that clubs must allow scouts from other clubs to watch youth matches if they apply for accreditation in advance to ensure the development and exchange of youth players.
