The Football Association (FA) has announced that it will investigate Jermain Defoe’s transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Portsmouth in 2008, amid allegations of breaching transfer rules. This move comes after evidence suggested that Spurs’ chairman, Daniel Levy, negotiated the £7.5 million transfer with an unlicensed agent.
At the time, FA regulations prohibited clubs from using the services of unlicensed agents, and potential penalties for serious violations included points deductions, fines, and other disciplinary actions, including relegation.
The FA released a statement stating, “We are looking at the case, and as part of that, we will be reviewing the arbitration panel award.” This signals a reopening of the case against Tottenham, which was not pursued by the FA previously.
The Times has reported that Mitchell Thomas, a former West Ham and Tottenham player, played a central role in Defoe’s move to Portsmouth and was acting as an unlicensed agent at the time. It has been alleged that Daniel Levy, Jermain Defoe, and then-Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp all engaged with Thomas during the transfer.
FA regulations, which are still in effect today, require players and clubs to use licensed agents for transfer deals. Agents are permitted to represent players in transfers but must hold a license and have a formal representation contract in place.
Portsmouth responded to the allegations by stating, “The signing of Jermain Defoe in 2008 occurred under previous ownership, and those involved in the transfer of the player’s registration from Tottenham Hotspur are no longer at the club, having left many years ago.”
The FA’s investigation could have significant implications for both Tottenham Hotspur and Jermain Defoe if they are found guilty of breaching transfer rules.
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