Bungs just won't go away

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

clicky linky

 

Lord Stevens' inquiry into illicit payments in football has reported to the Premier League that there have been "serious breaches" of transfer-market regulations. His findings were delivered in the final report of the Quest inquiry that was handed to the Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, last Friday.

 

After 15 months' investigations Stevens has refused to sign off as satisfactory a number of the 17 transfers that were still under scrutiny after his interim report in December last year. Sources close to the inquiry confirmed that some of the report's findings have already been forwarded to the City of London's economic crime department, with other investigative agencies also looking into its results. Scudamore, already under pressure from the Premiership clubs over the Carlos Tevez affair, now faces a tricky decision as to whether he should make Stevens's report public and risk further revolt.

 

t is understood he intends to delay any comment on the report until after the arbitration proceedings demanded by Wigan Athletic and Fulham - the two Premiership survivors from the so-called "gang of four" who are objecting to the failure to dock West Ham United points for the illegal registration of Tevez - which are due to take place on June 18 and 19.

 

With the league's AGM having taken place last week, there will not now be any meetings for shareholder clubs until the new Premiership season commences in August. Any updates from Scudamore will have to be through memos or telephone conversations. These are bound to be uncomfortable, since several clubs are unhappy that the inquiry was ever instigated. They are concerned that until the final details are made public suspicion hangs over the entire Premiership.

 

After initially investigating 362 transfers over a 25-month period, Stevens's team whittled that number down first to 39 deals involving eight unnamed clubs, then to 17 transfers in December. At that stage Stevens refused to indicate how many clubs were still implicated.

 

It is not known whether any of the club officials whose conduct remains under investigation are managers or chairmen. But Scudamore is likely to face pressure to name the clubs under suspicion.

 

If and when the findings are made public, the inquiry process will continue; it emerged yesterday that Football Association investigators are considering retaining Stevens to probe deeper into suspected transfer-market irregularities than the Premier League's inquiry demanded.

 

It is understood that there are wider issues arising from the Stevens report than the initial terms of reference set out by the Premier League, which related only to the "bungs" issue. Quest's findings have aroused suspicions that some agents may be breaching transfer-market rules.

 

"It could be that there is a transaction that has been looked at and Quest have been satisfied from interviews that it has involved no bungs," an FA source said. "But they might have thought there were some strong issues - the way an agent behaved, for example - that means they might fall foul of the regulations. This will require more investigation. Even if there are no bungs uncovered, it would be for the FA to look into that kind of activity."

 

The FA has not yet received the report in full but over the past six months it has received regular progress updates from Quest and the Premier League. The FA has been handed complete dossiers of evidence on certain transfers, allowing its compliance department to conduct its own inquiries. On others it has received only partial evidence and had delayed its inquiries until the Premier League and Quest have satisfied their investigations and passed on the full report.

[Falconhoof]

Police have made their first arrest, 61 year old man arrested in manchester. He is not an agent apparently.

[meepins]

How far does this ruling go because if paying clubs for a certain outcome is perfectly legal then how can they stop them paying to lose games.

[Falconhoof]

How far does this ruling go because if paying clubs for a certain outcome is perfectly legal then how can they stop them paying to lose games.

 

 

it isn't. Thats not really what this inquiry is about. The inquiry is into transfers.

[Guest lollyfi]

how old is fergie? (just wishful thinking!)

Edited June 8, 2007 by lollyfi

[Falconhoof]

thought that myself and had to Google it. 64.

[Maldini]

How old is his brother?

[floyd]

How old is that fvckin tout Charlton??

[fyds]

70 - and not a penny less.

Edited June 9, 2007 by fyds

[meepins]

it isn't. Thats not really what this inquiry is about. The inquiry is into transfers.

wrong thread

[Stevie H]

lord stevens' report is out and he names 5 clubs apparently. also named are pini zahavi and willie mackay.

[Stevie H]

chelsea, bolton, newcastle and portsmouth all named.

[CarraLegend]

Allardyce, Chelsea, theres a shock!

 

KEY FINDINGS FROM FINAL QUEST REPORT

 

The Inquiry submits its latest findings in this matter below.

All findings are based on our latest information and of course if further information is obtained by the relevant authorities the precise position may alter. We would urge those individuals named here to now fully co-operate in order to assist with resolving all matters.

 

In the following paragraphs, to assist in understanding where relevant jurisdiction may lie in these matters, individuals will be identified in the first instance as being a Licensed Agent under The FA?s jurisdiction (LA) or a FIFA Licensed Agent under the jurisdiction of a foreign national association (FLA) or an Unlicensed Agent (ULA).

 

The inquiry is not prepared to sign off the remaining 17 transfers for the following reasons:

 

1.Pinhas Zahavi (FLA) has failed to co-operate fully with the Inquiry. There was an initial failure to disclose his involvement in a number of transfers but, more seriously, he has failed to provide the Inquiry with complete bank statements due to the confidential nature of them. There has also been a lack of responsiveness by Zahavi. There remain questions relating to his relationship with and payments to Barry Silkman (LA) and Barry Silkman?s failure to initially disclose his involvement in all the transactions in which he received fees.

 

The Clubs, Club officials and players listed below all co-operated fully with the Inquiry and provided full documentation (including bank statements where requested). There is no evidence of any irregular payments to Club officials or players and they are identified here only as a consequence of the outstanding issues the Inquiry has with the agents identified.

 

As a result, the following transfers remain uncleared:

 

i)Collins Mbesuma(to Portsmouth FC)

 

ii)Ayegbeni Yakubu(to Middlesbrough FC)

 

iii)Fabio Rochemback(to Middlesbrough FC)

 

iv)Didier Drogba(to Chelsea FC)

 

v)Petr Cech(to Chelsea FC)

 

The Inquiry recommends that FIFA are asked to launch their own inquiry into the conduct of Mr Zahavi based on the evidence obtained.

 

2. Despite his co-operation, the Inquiry has concerns regarding the involvement of Craig Allardyce (at the time a Licensed Agent) in a number of transactions at Bolton Wanderers FC. Mr Gartside and officials currently at the Club have fully co-operated and the Inquiry has found no evidence or suggestion of any irregular payments to them. However, the following three transfers in which Craig Allardyce was involved remain uncleared:

 

i)Ali Al-Habsi(to Bolton Wanderers FC)

 

ii)Tal Ben Haim(to Bolton Wanderers FC)

 

iii)Blessing Kaku(to Bolton Wanderers FC)

 

In respect of i) above, the Inquiry also has remaining concerns about the involvement of Peter Harrison (LA) and his relationship with Craig Allardyce.

 

In respect of ii) and iii) above, the Inquiry has remaining, unanswered concerns about the involvement of Jamie Hart (LA) and David Abou (ULA).

 

In the additional transfer of Julio Correia, the Inquiry has remaining, unanswered concerns regarding the involvement of the following agents in this transfer: Mike Morris (FLA), Eugenio Botas (FLA) and Francis Martin (FLA) and the possible involvement of Craig Allardyce.

 

The Inquiry remains concerned at the conflict of interest that it believes existed between Craig Allardyce, his father Sam Allardyce (the then manager at Bolton Wanderers) and the Club itself.

 

The Inquiry recommends that The FA continue with their investigation into these matters, assisted by the considerable information gathered by Quest. The Inquiry also understands that the Bolton Chairman, Mr Gartside, is prepared to share the results of the Club?s own detailed investigation with the football authorities to assist in this matter. We welcome this development.

 

3. The Inquiry has still not been able to sign off a further two transfers (in addition to the one listed above) involving Francis Martin.

 

In the transfer of Albert Luque (to Newcastle Utd FC), the Licensed Agent acting on the Club?s behalf was Eugenio Botas. However, the Inquiry still has unanswered questions relating to possible payments made by Francis Martin who Newcastle officials believed was working for the selling club.

 

In the transfer of Michael Essien (to Chelsea FC), again there is no evidence to suggest any irregular payments to Club officials or the player, who all co-operated fully with the Inquiry providing full access to documentation (including bank statements) as requested.

 

However, questions remain unanswered as to the relationship between Francis Martin (buying Club agent), Mike Morris, Fabien Piveteau (player?s advisor) and Thomas Belsoeur (FLA).

 

Again, the Inquiry recommends that The FA and FIFA continue to investigate these matters in the light of the substantial information already obtained by Quest.

 

4.The following three other transfers remain uncleared:

 

i)Emre Belozoglu (Emre)(to Newcastle United FC)

 

ii)Jean Alain Boumsong(to Newcastle United FC)

 

iii)Amady Faye(to Newcastle United FC)

 

Again we have found no evidence to suggest any irregular payments by or to Club officials relating to the above transfers and Newcastle United officials co-operated fully with the Inquiry and gave full access to documentation (including bank statements) as requested.

 

However, there remain inconsistencies in evidence provided by Graeme Souness (a former manager of the Club) and Kenneth Shepherd (apparently acting in an undefined role but not as a Club official) as to their respective roles in transfer negotiations.

 

In relation to i) above, the Inquiry is not prepared to clear this transfer as it has been unable to obtain the co-operation of the lead agent, Ahmet Bulut (FLA).

 

In relation to ii) and iii) above, these transfers involved payments to Willie McKay (FLA) and, despite a degree of co-operation from Mr McKay, the Inquiry is still awaiting clarification in relation to various documents provided by him.

 

5. Willie MKay acted for the selling Club, Auxerre, in the transfer of Benjani Mwaruwari (into Portsmouth FC) and for the Portsmouth FC themselves in the transfer in of Alliou Cisse and, for the same reason as above, the Inquiry is not prepared to clear these transfers at this stage. In relation to the first of these, the Inquiry also has identified concerns regarding the role of Teni Yerima (FLA) and Ralph N?Komo in the transfer negotiations.

 

In relation to points 4 and 5, again the Inquiry recommends that The FA and FIFA continue to investigate this matter in light of the information obtained by Quest and that further powers are used to ensure co-operation.

 

6. There is one other transfer that the Inquiry has been asked by another regulatory authority not to specify in order that its investigations should not be prejudiced by revealing the identity of the transfer. The Inquiry, of course, is compelled to respect this request.

 

7. In the course of the Inquiry a further matter has become evident that the Inquiry believes should be considered by the Football Authorities. Willie McKay provided information that he had registered a race horse in the name of Harry Redknapp. Harry Redknapp has confirmed that this could well have happened though it was a very unsuccessful horse that resulted in no material gain or reward for him. There is no evidence that this transaction is related to any specific transfer, more a consequence of a long term personal association. Inquiries into this matter should continue.

Edited June 15, 2007 by CarraLegend

[Stevie H]

middlesbrough too now.

[CarraLegend]

Barry Silkman having a hissy fit on SSN

[johngibo YPC]

i literally can't believe Sam Allardyce is involved in all this

[CarraLegend]

Haha that was hilarious, Silkman not to happy

[Cobs]

i literally can't believe Sam Allardyce is involved in all this

 

 

Harry Redknapp too

[R A Softlad]

So does that mean those teams, along wiith West Ham, will be docked points for the last few seasons?

 

I find it funny that Shepherd's son is involved yet Shepherd sacked Kevin Bond.

[Boca]

So does that mean those teams, along wiith West Ham, will be docked points for the last few seasons?

 

I find it funny that Shepherd's son is involved yet Shepherd sacked Kevin Bond.

 

Allardyce's son ?

[Maldini]

What was Silkman saying?

[Gilps]

Haha that was hilarious, Silkman not to happy

 

He'll be even less happy when he sees this

 

On the 15th of June 2007, he was named in Lord Steven's damning report on transfer bungs along with Pinhas Zahavi. He has denied any wrong-doing despite damning evidence against him that almost certainly proves that he is corrupt to his very core.

[CarraLegend]

What was Silkman saying?

 

They'll regret the day they started this case, Stevens and co are liars, he's suing and he'll give every penny to charity when he wins (he said that about 50 times), you'll have to hear it on SSN because its more the tone he was talking in than anything, he was furious.

[Billy Dane]

he's suing and he'll give every penny to charity when he wins (he said that about 50 times),

 

 

wonder why he doesn't need the money?

 

 

I assume Gibson and SCS are not involved in taking bungs from Yakubu's transfer and it is purely the people outside Boro that they are unsure about?

[ali]

From The Times

June 16, 2007

Zahavi: from humble beginnings to multimillionaire super-agent

 

Rick Broadbent

 

In the old days, Pini Zahavi was the son of a shopkeeper who took oranges to Liverpool?s training ground and wrote football reports. Now he is one of the most powerful men in the sport, facilitating takeovers and a reported £3 million payment for a single deal.

 

He is routinely referred to as a super-agent, but such a tag gives the misguided impression that he merely has a nicer sheepskin coat and a bigger cigar than his peers. Zahavi?s brief is far broader than that, involving scouting networks in Africa and South America, a penchant for controversy and sugar daddies on tap.

 

The popular perception of the football agent is of a sharp-suited spiv who sorts out a player?s contract and books his manicure. Zahavi, by contrast, is a mover and shaker, acting as a traditional agent only for a few select millionaires, and instead working for clubs such as Chelsea.

 

?I say what I mean,? he says. And he likes what he says, not least the story of how Trevor Birch, the Chelsea chief executive at the time, begged him for help because the club could not pay the players? wages. The solution? Roman Abramovich. He repeated the trick at Portsmouth, bringing in Alexandre Gaydamak to give the club a new ?war chest?. Earlier in his career Zahavi had paved the way for Gaydamak?s father, Arcadi, to take over Beitar Jerusalem.

 

He is an adept networker who has mined his Israeli background for profit, brokering deals for Eyal Berkovic and Yakubu Ayegbeni when they moved from Maccabi Haifa. When it was revealed that Middlesbrough had agreed to pay Zahavi £3 million on top of the transfer fee for Yakubu, laymen shook their heads at the state of the game. For Zahavi, it was payback.

 

Perhaps it was his background as a sports journalist that enabled him to shrug off the bad publicity. There was plenty, from his role in the meeting between Sven-Göran Eriksson and Abramovich, when the former was still England head coach and the latter looking for a manager, to Rio Ferdinand?s dinner date with Peter Kenyon ? the Manchester United defender and Chelsea chief executive.

 

If you wanted to go public with your secret meeting, Zahavi seemed to be the master. Ashley Cole was still adopting a baffled stance when he reflected on his ?tapping-up? by Chelsea. When Cole, his agent, Kenyon, Zahavi and José Mourinho contrived to be in the same room, the player said: ?That?s when Pini made a flip remark ? ?Well, we are sat with the best left back in the world.? ? Solution? Cole moves from Arsenal to Chelsea.

 

Having acted as a consultant to Media Sports Investment, the company at the centre of the Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano row, Zahavi said that the idea of businesses and individuals owning players was essential ?if English football is to survive?. He helped to set up the Hero Fund with the intent of raising money to that end, although it is understood that it is now on the back burner.

 

It is a far cry from his humble beginnings as the son of a shopkeeper in Nes Ziona, near Tel Aviv. A chance meeting with Peter Robinson, the Liverpool secretary in 1979, at Heathrow airport opened his way into the world of football agents, and Avi Cohen duly signed for the Anfield club. ?Then I only loved football,? he said.

 

It took him 11 years to complete a second deal, Ronnie Rosenthal?s transfer from Standard Liège to Liverpool, but he was still working as a journalist. Then he put down the pen and started making the stories instead of writing them; Eriksson was forced to deny the World Cup disappointment last summer had been David Beckham?s fault after Zahavi had boasted that the Swede had told him the full story, and Steve McClaren was similarly unimpressed by talk of a schism in the squad.

 

Zahavi, though, has seemed untouchable. ?What I do I do honestly, without tricks,? he has said. Now he must prove it.

 

The real deal

 

Break One of his first deals was the £200,000 transfer of Avi Cohen from Maccabi Tel-Aviv to Liverpool in 1979. He was involved when Barry Silkman, the former Crystal Palace player, moved from Manchester City to Maccabi Haifa

 

Biggest deal Brokered Rio Ferdinand?s £29.3 million transfer from Leeds United to Manchester United in July 2002. It earned him £1.5 million in commission

 

Friends Power brokers such as Sir Philip Green and Sir Alex Ferguson