THE Premiership scandal?
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Updated: Sep. 20, 2006
Agent calls on FA to tighten up on cowboys
Football agent Jon Smith has called for new regulations from the Football Association to avoid the allegations of transfer bungs to managers.
Three agents accused Bolton boss Sam Allardyce of being willing to accept illegal payments over transfers, while his son Craig was accused of accepting money for his part in two deals, even though the sums were never registered with the FA.
Smith, who set up the First Artist company, believes the FA can make the working relationship between clubs and players' representatives smoother with changes.
Smith said: 'The big issue from the programme is a lack of regulation. The FA's regulations do not work and are not enforced properly, and no-one gives a damn about them. In fact, we don't think they are legal.
'Until they get real and get proper departments to deal with this then there will always be allegations.'
He added: 'The FA made a complaint to us about us about a recent transfer being against FIFA regulations - a very small matter in the paperwork - but why bother when there are other fundamental things wrong with the regulations'
Allardyce was accused on BBC's Panorama show, although Smith felt the investigation did not live up to expectations.
'I think they got near to the edge of the cliff but didn't fall off,' Smith said. 'There was allegation and innuendo but there wasn't actually any meat on the bone.
He added: 'Had it just been a programme things might be different, but it was hyped up beyond belief.
'At the end of the day there was around £300million worth of Premiership transfer deals last year, the big boys accounting for around 70 per cent of that. The ones in the programme were very low down on the food chain and, if there has been something wrong, let's put the handcuffs on them.'
Barry Silkman, also an agent, was critical of the expose, adding on BBC Radio Five Live: 'All that happened was two people talking together like idiots.
'I've never had a manager offer so much as a cup of coffee.
'The bottom line is that nobody apart from the individual knows. I only know my own experience and I've never come across a manager whose asked for anything.'
Of Teni Yerima, one of the agents who accused Allardyce, Silkman added: 'I did a deal with Teni Yerima. At the end of it I said to the guy who put him in the deal 'do not put him in a deal again because he's the biggest liar I've ever met'.'
Sky Andrew, who represents Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant among others, believes it is a minority of agents who break the rules.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: 'Football's going through `deal, deal, deal' culture where some agents think it is all about deals.
'Surely it is about a player joining a club and honouring his contract, if he wants to stay he stays and if he wants to go he goes.
'I think it is the minority, most people abide by the rules. The amount of rules is unbelievable, every year there are new ones and it's getting more stringent.
'We must not forget that there are many very honest managers, people like Alan Curbishley and Arsene Wenger.
'I've had the privilege of dealing with those two and they are guys of high integrity, good moral fibre and because there is a programme (claiming) managers are a certain way, we can't think all managers are like that.' -
Chelsea's transfer conduct was mired in fresh controversy last night when Frank Arnesen was shown on the BBC's Panorama programme making an illegal approach for a Middlesbrough schoolboy player.
Arnesen, the club's director of youth development, was secretly filmed offering to give the youngster £150,000 over three years to try to induce him to Stamford Bridge. -
Updated: Sep. 20, 2006
Allardyce instructs lawyers to start action over 'lies'
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce today rejected all allegations made against him in last night's damning Panorama documentary.
It was alleged by three different agents during the BBC's undercover investigation that Allardyce was willing to accept illegal payments as part of transfer deals.
Bolton have already indicated they may ask the BBC to supply them with further information and Allardyce emerged from his home this lunchtime to vigorously deny the charges which have been levelled against him.
'Obviously, I am denying all allegations that have been alleged against me,' he said.
Allardyce warned immediately after Bolton's Carling Cup win at Walsall last night that he would defend his reputation and confirmed he has now instructed his lawyers to take the matter further.
'The matter is in the lawyer's hands and will be resolved by due process,' he said.' I have instructed my lawyers to take the appropriate action.'
Allardyce said: 'I am very angry at the lies told about me. The individuals who appeared in the programme making accusations against me have already confirmed in writing to my lawyers that they lied to the BBC.
'They lied in the hope of being able to make millions offered by the BBC undercover reporter to buy their sports agency businesses.
'Those individuals never thought their lies would be exposed in the way that they have been and have apologised to me. As a result of their greed, my good name has been tarnished by deceit and innuendo.'
Allardyce, who watched the programme late last night after Bolton's 3-1 win at Walsall in the Carling Cup, added: 'In addition, as a father, of course, it is painful to watch your son talk tall and exaggerate his influence for financial gain.
'If there is any real evidence - and there won't be, as I am utterly innocent of any wrongdoing - I would expect the BBC to give that evidence both to the FA and the (Premier League's) Quest inquiry.'
All the agents who fell victim to the undercover sting have attempted to discredit the comments they made.
But possibly the most problematic inclusion as far as Allardyce is concerned, came from his son Craig, who claimed on camera his impeccable Bolton contacts could help push transfers through.
The programme makers also alleged Allardyce jnr had received £30,000 in relation to two separate Bolton transfers, payments which were never declared to the Football Association.
The Bolton manager's son then went on to say his father knew about his involvement in all transfers, suggesting Allardyce snr was fully aware of what would constitute a flagrant breach of FA rules.
Although there is no direct evidence of Allardyce accepting bungs, the damage to his reputation - and that of his club - is incalculable.
Less than six months after he was interviewed about the possibility of succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson as England manager, the 51-year-old now faces a major battle to clear his name.
And the problems for Bolton are not just confined to their manager either.
Chairman Phil Gartside, also an FA board member, was also filmed admitting he would be willing to sell star midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha despite public statements to the contrary and in the knowledge the Nigerian had been the subject of an illegal approach. -
Updated: Sep. 20, 2006
FA investigation statement
Further to the Panorama programme, the FA confirmed today that it has already asked the BBC to provide all of the information it obtained during their investigation. We expect this information to be provided as a matter of urgency.
The FA takes any allegations of corruption in the game extremely seriously and will actively investigate the claims made by the programme.
Some of these investigations will be conducted jointly with the Premier League when the claims relate to both FA and Premier League rules.
Discussions have already taken place with the Premier League as to how these joint investigations will be managed. These investigations will cover the allegations of illegal approaches involving:
• Frank Arnesen
• Liverpool FC
• Newcastle United FC
• Harry Redknapp
The joint approach will also apply to the transfers of Hidetoshi Nakata, Tal Ben Haim and Ali Al-Habsi to Bolton Wanderers, which fall within the timeframe covered by the Lord Stevens Inquiry.
Other allegations, such as those relating to players' agents and connected activities, will be investigated by the FA alone. They will cover the allegations against:
• Sam Allardyce
• Craig Allardyce
• Peter Harrison
• Charles Collymore
• Kevin Bond Although agent Teni Yerima is licensed in France and therefore not under our jurisdiction, the FA will also include him in its inquiries and refer any information to FIFA and/or the French FA as appropriate.
The FA will also speak to all other parties named in the programme.
Based on the evidence obtained, the FA will then determine what action should be taken.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick said: 'These are serious allegations which have been made by Panorama and we are determined to investigate them fully.
'It is vital for the integrity of the game and for every football supporter that we do this.
'We will work in close co-operation with the Premier League. As with any investigation, we will ensure that our inquiries are exhaustive and thorough. If we find evidence of corruption we will act on it. We recognise our responsibility.' -
Updated: Sep. 20, 2006
Boro furious with agent for touting starlet Porritt
Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has criticised Peter Harrison amid allegations the agent offered youngster Nathan Porritt to Chelsea and Liverpool.
Last night's Panorama investigation into football included claims Harrison had spoken to both clubs about the then 15-year-old England youth player.
In a meeting secretly filmed by the BBC, Frank Arnesen, Chelsea's head of development and scouting, is seen discussing a £150,000 deal for Porritt.
Lamb confirmed that Harrison never sought permission from Boro to talk to other clubs about the youngster, who at the time was on schoolboy terms with his home-town club, and accused the agent of breaking Premier League rules.
He said: 'We are hugely disappointed with the actions of Peter Harrison.
'It was quite clear from the footage shown on the programme that he approached other Premier League clubs to offer Nathan Porritt to them.
'Harrison was in breach of Premier League rules and regulations in doing so without either our permission or knowledge.
'Clearly Peter has a lot to answer for to the game's authorities and this football club.
'Despite the fact that his agent was blatantly touting him around other clubs, Nathan then signed for our Academy and we are delighted to have him on board. He is a local boy, who has always wanted to play for Middlesbrough.
'Nathan and his family understood that Middlesbrough was the best place for him to fulfil his obvious potential.'
Both Chelsea and Liverpool have denied breaking the rules in connection with their interest in Porritt, although neither club was commenting today. -
Updated: Sep. 20, 2006
Chelsea and Liverpool face questions over Porritt
Chelsea and Liverpool face an investigation by the Football Association and Premier League into BBC Panorama's allegations that they breached regulations in trying to tempt an England youth player away from Middlesbrough.
The programme showed Nathan Porritt, then 15, being touted to the clubs by agent Peter Harrison.
The Premier League want some of Panorama's more serious allegations to be passed on to Lord Stevens' bung inquiry, and the evidence about illegal approaches for players to be given to themselves and the FA.
A Premier League spokesman said: 'There are allegations concerning other potential breaches of industry rules in the programme that fall outside the terms of reference of Lord Stevens' inquiry.
'Again we request the BBC pass on their evidence in order that the FA and ourselves can examine all aspects of these allegations in order to determine the most appropriate course of action that each body should take.'
However, Chelsea will not face any possible points deduction even if Panorama's claims are substantiated.
The Blues were given a suspended three-point deduction by the Premier League following the Ashley Cole `tapping up' case.
Chelsea are currently the subject of a joint investigation by the Premier League and FA over claims by Leeds of illegal approaches for three academy players last season.
The BBC's Panorama programme has alleged Chelsea's director of youth football Frank Arnesen offered Porritt £150,000 over three years to move clubs.
However, even if Chelsea are found to have breached any regulations with regard to the academy players the suspended points deduction from the Cole case will not apply.
It is understood that one Premier League regulation covers illegal approaches for contracted players, and a separate regulation covers approaches for academy players.
With regard to the Arnesen allegations, Chelsea told the BBC that no industry rules had been breached.
It is understood that Arnesen was approached by Porritt's agent Harrison rather than Chelsea making the initial inquiry.
Porritt's agent also offers the player to Liverpool during the programme, and a club official talks positively about signing him when he is 17. Liverpool too have told the BBC they have not breached any industry rules. -
It seems like they're struggling to show evidence to support the accusations....this could just turn out to be an embarrasing string of events for the broadcasters...and Big Sam could become a very Rich man...
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Updated: Sep. 20, 2006
'I've done absolutely nothing wrong,' insists Redknapp
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp maintains he has done 'absolutely nothing wrong' following the BBC's screening of their Panorama investigation into alleged corruption in football.
The programme aimed to expose a `bung culture' within the game, a topical prelude to the publication of Lord Stevens' report on the 300-plus player transfers involving Premiership clubs over the past two years.
Redknapp, 59, is accused in the programme of `tapping up' Blackburn defender Andy Todd in discussions held in the canteen at Portsmouth's training ground.
Redknapp tells agent Peter Harrison: 'I like Toddy, don't I? No I'd take him. I would take him. I would take him without a doubt. I like him.'
The Portsmouth boss is renowned for his record in the transfer market, and a number of shrewd signings during the summer have helped Pompey top the Premiership after five matches.
Redknapp vehemently denies he has any case to answer after Panorama's broadcast.
'I haven't seen it (the programme) but I'm looking forward to going home and having a nice cup of tea and a slice of toast and watching it because I've done absolutely nothing wrong,' said Redknapp.
'There's nothing on there that I would have to consult my lawyer about. As far as I'm concerned there's not a single thing to worry about and I've said that from day one.
'If you haven't done anything wrong then you haven't got anything to worry about have you? Simple as that.'
Redknapp does not want to let the Panorama claims overshadow the work he is doing this season with the south-coast club.
Last night saw Pompey win 2-1 at Mansfield in the Carling Cup, thanks to goals from loan signing Manuel Fernandes and Matthew Taylor.
'It's not been a difficult weekend for me but the hassle has been difficult because it's distracted from the fantastic team performances that we've turned in,' Redknapp added.
'I really want to start focusing now on how well my team is doing. What a start to the season we've had, top of the Premier League - Pompey. Harry, you are different class.' -
Updated: Sep. 20, 2006
Bond to sue BBC for libel over expose
Newcastle assistant manager Kevin Bond is to sue the BBC for libel over last night's Panorama expose.
The BBC insist comments made by Bond during a secretly-recorded meeting with agent Peter Harrison constitute an admission that he would consider discussing receiving payments from a proposed new agency involving Harrison.
Bond, who joined the Magpies from Portsmouth in July, strenuously denies any wrongdoing and insists his remarks have been presented in a 'completely misleading manner'.
Bond's solicitor Kevin Price said in a statement: 'My client will be taking proceedings for libel against the BBC over the programme and the media hype generated to publicise it.
'The short extract from my client's conversation with the reporter was taken out of context and presented in a completely misleading manner.
'It was all smoke and mirrors. It seems that my client was only included because after one year of working on the programme the producers were struggling to fill the one-hour slot.' -
FA and Premier League begin urgent investigation
Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick today announced a formal investigation into the allegations made by BBC's Panorama programme.
Every agent, manager and club named by the programme for alleged wrongdoing will be investigated.
One probe relating to players' agents and connected activities will be carried out by the FA alone, and another investigation by the FA and Premier League jointly.
Barwick said: 'These are serious allegations which have been made by Panorama and we are determined to investigate them fully. It is vital for the integrity of the game and for every football supporter that we do this.
'We will work in close co-operation with the Premier League. As with any investigation, we will ensure that our inquiries are exhaustive and thorough. If we find evidence of corruption we will act on it.
'We recognise our responsibility.'
'Undercover: Football's Dirty Secrets' claimed that Bolton boss Sam Allardyce and his son Craig, until recently a football agent, were given illegal payments to facilitate player transfers.
The FA have asked the BBC to hand over all of the information Panorama obtained during their investigation 'as a matter of urgency'.
The FA alone will investigate the allegations about illegal payments made by the BBC against the Allardyces, Newcastle assistant manager Kevin Bond and agents Charles Collymore and Peter Harrison.
The joint FA/Premier League probe will cover allegations of illegal approaches involving Chelsea's head of development and scouting Frank Arnesen, Liverpool, Newcastle and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp.
Arnesen and a Liverpool official were filmed by Panorama discussing a deal for England youth player Nathan Porritt to leave Middlesbrough, and Newcastle were also alleged to have done so.
The joint investigation will also look into the transfers of Hidetoshi Nakata, Tal Ben Haim and Ali Al-Habsi to Bolton as these fall within the timeframe of the inquiry being carried out by Lord Stevens for the Premier League.
The FA said in a statement: 'The FA takes any allegations of corruption in the game extremely seriously and will actively investigate the claims made by the programme.
'Discussions have already taken place with the Premier League as to how these joint investigations will be managed.
'The FA will also speak to all other parties named in the programme. Based on the evidence obtained, The FA will then determine what action should be taken.'
The FA will also refer any evidence about French-licensed agent Teni Yerima to FIFA and the French.
The BBC have agreed to pass their evidence to the investigations.
The BBC said in a statement: 'The BBC will co-operate with requests relating to last night's Panorama `Undercover: Football's Dirty Secrets' from the relevant investigating authorities, and will do so in line with our normal processes and procedures in cases of this kind -
Seems like the BBC programs sure attract lots of viewers and lots of trouble........from all the news above i can conclude that the the BBC programs seems totally crap
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Chelsea's transfer conduct was mired in fresh controversy last night when Frank Arnesen was shown on the BBC's Panorama programme making an illegal approach for a Middlesbrough schoolboy player.
Arnesen, the club's director of youth development, was secretly filmed offering to give the youngster £150,000 over three years to try to induce him to Stamford Bridge.
The revelation comes just over a month after Chelsea were accused by their former chairman Ken Bates of illegally poaching two players from his academy at Leeds United and tapping up a third, who stayed at Elland Road.
Chelsea denied any wrongdoing in that case and were waiting to see last night's broadcast before deciding whether to make any comment on this latest episode. It is likely to lead to an investigation by the Premier League, which gave Chelsea a suspended three-point penalty last year for an illegal approach to Cole.
The accusations are, at the very least, unfortunate for Arnesen, who joined Chelsea from Tottenham last September. His move across the capital was messy, with Spurs claiming Chelsea made an illegal approach for the Dane, suspending Arnesen from his post as sporting director and threatening to report Chelsea to the Premier League.
Arnesen was photographed aboard a yacht belonging to Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich, and Chelsea paid substantial compensation to Tottenham to bring him to the club.
The programme states that Middlesbrough have confirmed they did not give permission for this approach and that Harrison, the player's agent, admitted Boro did not know he was offering Porritt to rival clubs.
The principal focus will, though, fall on Chelsea because of various other tapping-up accusations levelled at them over recent seasons. They were found guilty of an illegal approach for Ashley Cole after it was revealed they met the left-back without Arsenal's permission at a London hotel. Chelsea were fined by the Premier League and given a suspended three-point penalty. Last month they signed Cole in a deadline-night deal that took the defender William Gallas in the opposite direction.
Bates suggested activating that points penalty because of the financial strength of the owner, financial punishments alone will make no difference to them at all."
Chelsea's conduct vis-a-vis the Leeds players is being investigated out jointly by the Football Association and Premier League. It will be determined whether disciplinary action is required and, if so, which body will look after that. This case involving Arnesen may follow a similar pattern, though with two Premiership clubs being involved, the Premier League may deal with the case alone if, as seems likely, it chooses to investigate.
Arnesen has kept a relatively low profile during his year at Chelsea. The 49-year-old former Denmark international is understood to have played a role this summer in bringing Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel to Stamford Bridge, where they form part of the first-team squad. -
Wasn't someone so sure CFC wasn't involved?
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Middlesbrough chairman wants Chelsea action against ArnesenOriginally posted by Agenda:Wasn't someone so sure CFC wasn't involved?
tribalfooball.com - September 21, 2006
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson wants Chelsea to take action against Frank Arnesen for apparently negotiating over Nathan Porritt's transfer to Stamford Bridge in the Panorama programme.
"We are talking about an individual at Chelsea," said Gibson to BBC Radio Five Live last night. "If it happened at our club we would take disciplinary action within the club to correct it.
"All of our dealings with Chelsea have been very good. [Arnesen]'s broken the rules and I don't think Chelsea should be held to account. It is an individual within Chelsea who should be. My view of it was that an employee at Chelsea overstepped the mark."
Chelsea chief Arnesen calm over tapping report
tribalfooball.com - September 21, 2006
Chelsea chief Frank Arnesen is unconcerned over being dragged into an alleged tapping drama by the BBC's Panorama program.
The Telegraph says Arnesen, Chelsea's head of youth development, was yesterday described as "relaxed" over allegations of tapping up a Middlesbrough prospect, believing he will be exonerated when his comments are placed in context.
Chelsea feel they have nothing to fear from the investigation launched yesterday by the Football Association and Premier League, primarily because it was agent Peter Harrison who kept pushing Nathan Porritt's name in a 30-minute meeting called to discuss other issues. Arnesen, a hugely likable individual with a great eye for emerging talent, repeatedly asked Harrison whether Porritt wanted to leave Boro.
No follow-up contact was made by Chelsea to Porritt or his parents, according to the champions.
yup i am sure
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Agent: Bolton boss Allardyce in clear
tribalfooball.com - September 21, 2006
Agent Teni Yerima insists Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce is in the clear.
The Guardian says Yerima, the French-registered agent who was secretly filmed alleging that he could direct illicit payments to Allardyce to facilitate transfers, has rejected the claims on Panorama.
The agent told the BBC that he had fabricated his remarks to expose the undercover reporters' plot.
"There was nothing true," said Yerima. "I can show all my bank accounts. I have never given money to anyone in England." -
Mr ghimpheng,
point us to the LINKS lah.. please don't just cut & paste. we can read ourselves. what the rest of us want would be your COMMENTS!!!
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This bung is nothing new and certainly true.
why it is making so much noise, cause it involves big clubs.
and for most of us, if Chelsea is caught, we would be amazed, cause we are talking the worlds' richest man, and yet they need to tap.
to me, a typical conversation between chelsea mgt and others would be:-
" I want XXX".
"No, he is not for sale, even for 100M".
"Then I offer 101"
"No lah"
"200"
"no".
"500"
"no"
after a long while.....
"Halo, I can't count beyond 10 lah, no more fingers, can borrow??" -
pasting here would be more convient for people to read I reckon
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Can you just put one and not so many! Nobody is going to read all lah.Originally posted by ghimpheng:pasting here would be more convient for people to read I reckon -
just read the one that interest you don't need to read every single one I never read every single one too
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If its not news worthy, and you don't even want to read it, don't put it here then! Cos nobody wants to read those uninteresting news too!Originally posted by ghimpheng:just read the one that interest you don't need to read every single one I never read every single one too -
fully agreed!! its fellow forumers comments that makes this place call a forum, if what we have here is just some cut and paste news where even the person whom posted it can't be bothered to read (as claimed by himself) then guess we're better off reading up on news then to be here in the Sports forum!!! on the other hand if he reads all and feels that, that very pc of news is very informative and would like to share with fellow forumers then its a different story.... so guess our Friendly Neighbourhood Chelsea Fan, Ghimpheng, needs to show some mercy on the rest of the ppl here.. will you?
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true, what you are doing is really useful cause you are compiling for us.
but what we want is your summary and comments.
then we can "beat" the "hell" out of you... Just kidding.
do note this, when MUFC was at a high, even the mentioned of MU will have people turning around and swearing at you, so more hate = more success.
but sometimes, you need a bit more maturity, and everyone will enjoy mature, non-confrontial discussion. -
Premier League chief warns clubs against BBC boycott
tribalfooball.com - September 23, 2006
Premiership managers have been warned they must not snub interviews with the BBC.
The Mirror says Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has written to all 20 Premiership clubs to remind them that they are obliged to give interviews as part of the Premier League's ?105 million television contract with the BBC.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp was one of several managers threatening to stop speaking to the Beeb in the wake of the Panorama show, Exposed: Football's Dirty Secrets.
Redknapp has taken legal advice after the programme accused him of a tapping-up offence and it is also understood that Newcastle threatened to withdraw their co-operation.
Their assistant boss Kevin Bond was also one of the names mentioned in the show, along with Bolton boss, Sam Allardyce, and Chelsea academy director Frank Arnesen.
All of the clubs implicated in the BBC show were angry and upset and the BBC hierarchy fears a backlash in terms of cooperation with pre-match and post-match interviews. And Scudamore is concerned that the BBC could take action if interviews are pulled from Match of the Day. -
Middlesbro has already blacklisted agent Peter harrison following the Panorama report.
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FA silent on bungs probe
tribalfooball.com - September 25, 2006
The FA are unlikely to disclose the volume or nature of any evidence of corruption provided by the BBC from the Panorama programme.
The FA and Premier League are conducting both joint and separate investigations into allegations of illegal payments and approaches for players involving prominent managers and agents within the English game.
The sharing of evidence has become the main focus of the issue but the FA are not expected to comment on or divulge what information has been provided at least until the next stage of the investigation - a process which could take some length of time.
The FA alone are to investigate the BBC's allegations relating to illegal payments, against Sam Allardyce, his son Craig, Newcastle assistant manager Kevin Bond and agents Charles Collymore and Peter Harrison.
The FA and Premier League will jointly investigate allegations of illegal approaches involving Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp.