Tottenham's Transfer Dealings Under FA Examination

The Football Association (FA) is set to re-examine the transfer of Jermain Defoe from Tottenham Hotspur to Portsmouth in 2008, following a revealing investigation by The Times. This decision marks a significant shift in the FA's stance, as the governing body had previously not taken any disciplinary action despite the involvement of an unlicensed agent in the deal.

The investigation, spanning two years, unveiled that key figures in the transfer, including England striker Jermain Defoe, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, and then Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, were engaged with an unlicensed agent during negotiations. This revelation came to light during a private hearing about the transfer.

In football, the involvement of unlicensed agents is a serious breach of FA rules. Historically, such breaches have led to severe consequences, including point deductions for clubs and bans for directors. A parallel can be drawn with Luton Town, which faced a ten-point deduction in the same year for similar infractions.

Central to the Defoe transfer was Mitchell Thomas, a former player for West Ham United and Tottenham, who operated as an unlicensed agent. Thomas was named by the FA in 2008 in a list of agents conducting business without proper licensing. Furthermore, the arbitration hearing revealed that Tottenham, through Levy, engaged Stuart Peters, a licensed agent, for the transfer. However, the mandatory representation contract, as required by FA rules, was seemingly absent.

FA regulations dictate strict adherence to licensing requirements for agents and formal contracts outlining the agency activity. Tottenham, when questioned about the existence of such a contract with Peters, did not respond.

The seriousness of these regulatory breaches is not lost on independent experts, who consider non-compliance as grounds for severe sanctions, ranging from transfer bans and points deductions to potential relegation for clubs. For agents and players, repercussions can vary from warnings and fines to outright bans.

Intriguingly, the panel investigating the transfer, which included Cherie Booth, Tony Blair's wife, had access to detailed phone records. These records established Thomas's involvement in facilitating Defoe's move. The panel's verdict in January 2010, which led to an order for Defoe to pay compensation to his former agent, Sky Andrew, was thorough in detailing Thomas's communications with key figures in the transfer.

Despite receiving these findings, the FA did not initiate disciplinary action at the time. However, in a new development, the FA has announced its intention to reopen the case. This includes obtaining the panel's verdict and any additional evidence previously not in its possession.

The FA's statement underscored their commitment to reviewing the arbitration panel award, indicating a renewed focus on upholding the integrity of transfer dealings within football. This reexamination could have significant implications for those involved and serves as a reminder of the FA's role in maintaining fair play in the sport.