Tottenham are facing allegations of breaching transfer rules during Jermain Defoe’s switch to Portsmouth in 2008, and the FA is ready to investigate the evidence after they did nothing 15 years ago.
A report from The Times said that Spurs could find themselves in hot water after evidence emerged that they used an unauthorized agent in the negotiations that saw Defoe complete a £7.5million move to Pompey.
At the time, the FA decided not to take any action against Tottenham but the English Football Association has announced it will consider looking back at the allegations if new evidence is presented.
Breach of FA rules on agents has resulted in clubs being stripped of points, suspensions of directors and transfer bans. In the same year, Luton Town were handed ten points for breaching the agent’s rules.
An FA spokesman said, ‘The independent refereeing body heard this case 15 years ago.
‘The FA is not involved in the arbitration. It is not known how much information was shared with the FA at the time, and no penalty was imposed.
‘If there is new evidence that was not available at the time, and which shows that our strict laws have been broken, we will investigate it.’
Reports from The Times claim that former West Ham and Tottenham player Mitchell Thomas – who was ‘central’ in Defoe’s move to Portsmouth – was an unauthorized agent at the time.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, Defoe and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp are all said to have dealt with Thomas during the deal.
FA rules at the time, which still stand today – stated that players and clubs were not allowed to use unauthorized agents to complete transfer sales.
The report goes on to say that failure to comply with these rules can result in severe penalties, including the possibility of retirement.
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