FA probe Howard deal

[Lanesra]

The FA are looking into illeagl payments made to agents during the transfer of Tim Howard to Man Ure, one of the agents being Alex fergusons son.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3386729.stm

[AmericanGunner]

What happens if there is proof there was wrong doing? Fine? Is the transfer null and void? What happens?

[jegerpenge]

they lose howard and all wins count as losses ;)

[Prawn Sandwich]

Some background info you might want to read....

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1120925,00.html

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9753,1120879,00.html

One specific section states there was nothing illegal, per se, more a case of things looking somewhat dodgy:

"The problem the FA faces in attempting to get to the bottom of deals such as the Howard transfer is twofold. First there is no actual offence detailed in the allegations published yesterday. Marotta was the declared agent in the deal and is free to spend his commission as he pleases. It is curious that Morris should have received a fee from a deal that, according to one United board member, he was not involved with, but it does not infringe any regulation. The Sunday Times provided no evidence that Jason Ferguson or his father received any payment as a result of the transfer.

The second is the complexity of the transfer market. It is commonplace for deals for foreign players to involve numerous agents, lawyers and representatives sub-contracted to the principal agent. Football's regulations require only that the principal representative is declared, that details of their fees be passed to the FA, and that they receive money from only one side of the deal."

Make of that what you will.......

[Prawn Sandwich]

Originally posted by jegerpenge
they lose howard and all wins count as losses ;)

You wish!

[Coach_McGuirk]

This appears to be a classic case of English journalists making a huge deal about a non-issue.

We should be used to that, as nothing will sell papers like Arsenal, manUre, or 'pool in trouble.

In three weeks, we won't hear a word about this, and this summer someone will post a "What happened to the Howard Inquiry" thread, and we'll all say "Huh? Oh, yeah, that....I don't know...."

But I'd like to see, say, a 50 point deduction and manUre banned from all competition for 5 years. ;)

[Prawn Sandwich]

Originally posted by Coach_McGuirk
This appears to be a classic case of English journalists making a huge deal about a non-issue.

We should be used to that, as nothing will sell papers like Arsenal, manUre, or 'pool in trouble.

In three weeks, we won't hear a word about this, and this summer someone will post a "What happened to the Howard Inquiry" thread, and we'll all say "Huh? Oh, yeah, that....I don't know...."

But I'd like to see, say, a 50 point deduction and manUre banned from all competition for 5 years. ;)

Couldn't agree more - this all looks to be part of this feud between McManus and Fergie over their racehorse (the first link I posted gives more info).

Although I find it strange that a supposedly reputable paper got involved in this story, let alone put it on their front page...

As to the deduction/ban? Be honest Coach, as a known ManUre agitator, you'd have no-one to complain about and would be bored very quickly! :D

[Coach_McGuirk]

Originally posted by Prawn Sandwich
As to the deduction/ban? Be honest Coach, as a known ManUre agitator, you'd have no-one to complain about and would be bored very quickly! :D

I'd just go right on agitating the MLS supporters and never miss a beat, especially since I have such a track record in doing such!

[Prawn Sandwich]

Some more detail on this story....

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1121829,00.html

Essentially, this story reinforces the earlier comments on this thread indicating that this is likely a non-story leaked by people within OT who have an axe to grind with SAF.....