Stevens: 17 Transfers Need More Investigation

Lord Stevens’ report into illegal payments in Premiership football has been
revealed with 17 of the total 362 transfers investigated requiring further
analysis for wrongdoing.

The Premier League, through Lord Stevens, will now review the 17 outstanding
transfers, which have not been named, to find out the exact nature of the
illegalities although the league’s chief executive Richard Scudamore said that
the investigation had not been helped by a ‘small but significant number of
agents’ who would not co-operate.

Stevens said that the further inquiries were focused on the agents and not
the clubs stating that ‘eight major agents’ had not complied with the
initial review. 

In addition to highlighting the 17 transfers, Lord Stevens’ team made 38
recommendations to safeguard the game’s integrity.

Among the recommendations was the creation of a new body to handle the audit
of transfers, rather than the Football Association.

‘The FA and the compliance unit does not have the credibility of the public
or the clubs,’ said Lord Stevens.

‘The proposed regulation and compliance unit must be established with
expertise and independence to take on this work. Part of the FA’s problems has
been the lack of forensic investigators and accountants. The work must be
preventative.’

Lord Stevens said punishment for anyone who does not comply with the
financial regulations must be severe.

‘Punishments must have a significant deterrent. Money alone may not be
appropriate as a sanction alone. Seasoned investigators and forensic accountants
are required to trace the money flows. They must have that expertise available
to it or they will fail.

‘They must have access to accounts with club and agent and must make books
available to the audit.’