FA confirm they are reviewing Jermain Defoe transfer over ‘agent rule breaches’
The Football Association has confirmed that it is now looking into allegations of potentially serious breaches of agent rules in a transfer involving Tottenham, Portsmouth and Jermain Defoe.
The Times claimed earlier this week that new evidence showed that Spurs dealt with an unlicensed agent while agreeing to sell ex-England striker Defoe to Portsmouth for £7.5million in January 2008.
An independent arbitration panel concluded Mitchell Thomas, the unlicensed agent in question, was a central figure in the deal with the FA stating it was ‘unclear’ how much information was shared with them.
Could Spurs face a points deduction?
No action was taken by the FA at the time, however the English game’s governing body have now revealed they are reopening the case, with an objective to obtain a copy of the verdict that was issued by the previous panel and any other evidence which they are currently not in possession of.
A statement from the FA said: “We are looking at the case, and as part of that we will be reviewing the arbitration panel award.”
The FA have previously issued a 10-point deduction to Luton Town, also in 2008, for breaching agent rules, while former Leeds owner Massimo Cellino was banned and fined over the deal which took Ross McCormack to Elland Road from Fulham in 2014.
SpursWeb Opinion
Tottenham will certainly be looking to avoid the wrath of the FA over any potential wrongdoings while a point reduction could prove to be catastrophic in any hopes of securing European qualification under Ange Postecoglou.
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