we are to be investigated

[Tom]

FA statement

Wednesday, 20 September 2006.

Further to last night's 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
- Kevin Bond
- Charles Collymore
- Peter Harrison

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."

[kurtangle01]

We'll get a slap on the wrist at worst IMHO.

[Tom]

Depends, if that stuff on the telly was all they had then that's the most likely outcome - maybe a fine. If they have stuff that they couldn't show because of legal senstitivites that was more serious - we might be in trouble.

Reading between the lines it looks like they consider the joint investigation to be looking into things that are - relatively speaking - less serious infringments. The FA investigation however looks a bit more hard core.....

[Rich]

Why are we mentioned as a club and not an individual, yet others are individuals and not clubs?!? odd.

[animal magic]

i think you right tom there must be more material than was shown i suspect the lawyers at the beeb would not allow it

[lfc4ever]

Do you know that guy Newcastle United FC? Seems to be a rather decent chap, a rather large head but sweet FA inside it.

Prob cos they couldn't spell Paco's name?

[kurtangle01]

i think you right tom there must be more material than was shown i suspect the lawyers at the beeb would not allow it

If they had more than that they would have shown it. Keith Lamb is on the BBC website talking about the agent "touting" their player around and not blaming other clubs for making an illegal approach.

[KK07]

3 words for you, Can of worms!

All it takes is one ****er to be taken down for this and the finger pointing will start.
Before you know it everybody will be under suspicion or will have someone grassing them up.
I think most people accept that it widespread.

I don't think the Prem league or the FA can afford to have the whole thing blown wide open.

I'd say slaps on the wrist at most and then brush it all under the carpet.

Just MHO.

[Rich]

Ok then pedantic man - Newcastle and ourselves are named as a club, yet Harry Redknapp, Big Head Sam, and Frank Butcher are named as individuals and therefore Chelsea, Bolton and Portsmouth aren't to be investigated.

Surely then, Liverpool could be punished, but Chelsea, Bolton and Portsmouth wouldn't be.

Why word it otherwise?

[Tom]

If they had more than that they would have shown it.

Not so. They might not have got good footage, the persons might have pulled out, they might not have got concrete evidence. Lots of reasons.

I think the "big one" who scarpered before Knut could meet him was Ferguson. In the build up to that part of the program they showed a picture of Patrice Evra......

[animal magic]

3 words for you, Can of worms!

All it takes is one ****er to be taken down for this and the finger pointing will start.
Before you know it everybody will be under suspicion or will have someone grassing them up.
I think most people accept that it widespread.

I don't think the Prem league or the FA can afford to have the whole thing blown wide open.

I'd say slaps on the wrist at most and then brush it all under the carpet.

Just MHO.

you make a good point if is proved that a few premiership managers took bungs it harms the profile of the league could affect advertising marketing etc

[Rich]

Evra did cost a fair amount of money didn't he - £7m wasn't it. Something smelly going on there too....

[lfc4ever]

More to do with who we were allegedly tapping up, another PL club's youngster, whereas others were involved in FA's breach of rules, so one breach only involves the FA, while tapping up allegations of another PL clubs player up breaches PL & FA rules.

As to why club & player being named, and it's not as if Paci is with us now, so they can't name him,. but they can name the club(s) involved.

Clearer?

[Tom]

Boro furious at BBC's findings

Investigation claimed agent touted 15-year-old to Premiership rivals

Staff and agencies
Wednesday September 20, 2006
Guardian Unlimited

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 hometown club, and accused the agent of breaking Premier League rules. "We are hugely disappointed with the actions of Peter Harrison," he said. "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.

Article continues
"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.

[Bob]

3 words for you, Can of worms!

All it takes is one ****er to be taken down for this and the finger pointing will start.
Before you know it everybody will be under suspicion or will have someone grassing them up.
I think most people accept that it widespread.

I don't think the Prem league or the FA can afford to have the whole thing blown wide open.

I'd say slaps on the wrist at most and then brush it all under the carpet.

Just MHO.

My sentiments exactly. There is more info - they said as much. However, even so i'm not worried! :headinsandshakey: