The FA has confirmed it will ‘investigate’ Jermain Defoe’s transfer from Spurs to Portsmouth in 2008, which allegedly breached transfer rules.
A Times report has claimed that Spurs could find themselves in hot water after evidence appears to show they used an unlicensed agent in the negotiations which saw Defoe complete a £7.5m move for Pompey.
At the time, the FA decided not to take any action against Tottenham, but English football’s governing body revealed that it will look into the case.
An FA statement on Wednesday said: “We are reviewing the case and as part of this we will review the arbitration panel’s decision.”
The media outlet also confirmed that football’s governing body would reopen the case against the north London team, without having previously taken action.
Breach of FA rules on agents has seen clubs hit with points deductions, director suspensions and transfer bans imposed. That same year, Luton Town were docked 10 points for breaking agent rules.
“The case was heard by an independent arbitration panel 15 years ago,” said an FA spokeswoman.
‘The FA was not a party to the arbitration. It is unclear how much information was shared with the FA at the time, and no disciplinary action was taken.
‘If there is new evidence that was not available at the time, and which suggests that serious breaches of our rules have occurred, we will review it.’
The Times report claims that former West Ham and Tottenham player Mitchell Thomas – who was a ‘central figure’ in Defoe’s move to Portsmouth – was an unlicensed agent at the time.
It was alleged that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, Defoe and then Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp negotiated with Thomas during the deal.
Agents are authorized to represent a player in a transfer, but must have a license and a formal representation contract.
The contract between an agent and a player must contain ‘the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the agency activity’, including details of the commission due.
FA regulations at the time – which are still in force today – stipulated that players and clubs were not allowed to use unlicensed agents to conclude transfer deals.
The report goes on to state that failure to comply with these rules can result in serious sanctions, including the possibility of demotion.
The FA reportedly decided not to take any action in January 2010 – despite having access to detailed phone records and knowing that Thomas had played a role in helping to seal Defoe’s move to Fratton Park – as they claimed that Wembley officials had not they had all the relevant documentation in A Hora.
It is even said that an FA executive was not aware of the Defoe case at the time.
Thomas was named by the FA in 2008 on a list of agents operating without the appropriate license.
Source: www.lindaikejisblog.com