Stevens Making ‘progress’ In Bung Enquiries

The team headed by Lord Stevens that is investigating alleged illegal transfer
payments at FA Premier League clubs has stated that it has made ‘significant
progress’ in its enquiries.

Having originally looked into 362 transfers involving top-flight clubs, Lord
Stevens’ company Quest had narrowed it down to 17 deals at the end of last year
that it did not have enough evidence on to clear as legal.

Lord Stevens’ team has now announced that it has made steps forward in
clarifying the nature of those 17 transfers after the FA Premier League wrote to
clubs to let them know the investigation is continuing.

The FAPL released a statement which read: ‘Quest will report as and when they
reach a more definitive position on these transactions.’

Separately, the FA Premier League board is also to consider whether
disciplinary action should be taken against any club who breached other transfer
rules following a separate report from Quest.

While these potential rule breaches are not criminal in nature, they could
include any of the following – payments by FA Premier League clubs direct to
third parties not routed though the FA’s clearing house system; failure to
disclose payments to other agents and third parties; agents representing more
than one party; failure of FA Premier League clubs to enter into appropriate
written agreements with agents; the terms of players’ contract containing
potential breaches of FA or Premier League rules; or the involvement of
unlicensed agents.

All of the above rules are now to be more firmly implemented moving forward
while the FA Premier League stated that consider each breach on a case-by-case
basis before deciding on the appropriate action.