Bung clubs are named

[ewerk 26174]

If Souness is found guilty of anything then I hope we sue him for every penny he has taken and the compensation we paid him. Gets me angry just thinking about the fact that we paid that crooked twat £2m to fuck off.

[Jimbo 133]

Seventeen transfers and five clubs have been named in Lord Stevens' findings from his inquiry into alleged illegal payments by Premier League clubs.

 

Chelsea, Newcastle, Bolton, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough were all named as having breached transfer regulations.

 

The clubs face a further investigation from the Football Association but it is understood Newcastle and Bolton are viewed as the most serious miscreants.

 

Stevens has also expressed concern about 15 agents and two managers.

 

One is Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce, and a conflict of interest with his former agent son Craig and Bolton Wanderers.

 

The other is Graeme Souness, with with Stevens reporting "inconsistencies in evidence" provided by the former Newcastle manager and Kenneth Shepherd, son of Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd.

 

Of the 17 transfers, four relate to Newcastle signings (Emre Belozoglu, Jean Alain Boumsong, Amady Faye, Albert Luque), four to Bolton (Ali Al-Habsi, Tal Ben Haim, Blessing Kaku, Julio Correia), three to Chelsea (Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Michael Essien), three to Portsmouth (Collins Mbesuma, Benjani Mwaruwari, Aliou Cisse) and two to Middlesbrough (Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Fabio Rochemback) while one transfer has not been disclosed.

 

Lord Stevens said in a statement: "Many lessons have been learned and strict adherence to and enforcement of the recommendations should ensure that the game and the transfer market can proceed in an untainted and transparent manner."

 

The Premier League will now send the findings to the FA and Fifa.

[casio 0]

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 McKay 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.

[ewerk 26174]

Barry Silkman (an agent) on SSN now going fucking mental that his name has been mentioned.

Edited June 15, 2007 by ewerk

[Scottish Mag 3]

From N-O

 

Radio 5 are saying that the clubs themselves are exonorated from any irregular payments that went on - ie, the clubs themselves did nothing wrong.

Edited June 15, 2007 by Scottish Mag

[Jimbo 133]

Barry Silkman (an agent) on SSN now going fucking mental that his name has been mentioned.

 

Good old Jim White really wound him up

[JawD 31]

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.

 

[Jimbo 133]

Quest Report - NUFC Statement

 

Following the publishing of the findings of the Quest Report, Newcastle United has issued the following statement:

 

Newcastle United has noted the contents of the final Quest Report compiled by Lord Stevens and his team for the Premier League.

 

The report makes clear that Newcastle United officials have done nothing wrong and have at all times offered their full cooperation, willingly providing full access to all documentation and information requested by the Inquiry team.

 

The club firmly supports the Inquiry and calls on those agents referred to in the report to assist the Inquiry in resolving their outstanding queries as soon as possible.

[JawD 31]

Aye readong that above, its seems most of the clubs are pretty clear. On our behalf I think only individuals G Souness and K Shepherd need to have things checked out, but not the club itself.

 

I can live with that like.

 

On Sam, its comes across more as conflict of interest, but nothing directly relating to him, maybe his son though (isnt he no longer an agent?).

[Park Life 70]

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 McKay 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.

 

 

More of less the usual suspects in this saga.

 

Zahvi will be hard to pin down, he is an Israeli citizen with 20million front companies...

[Greg 6]

http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsD...1053548,00.html

 

 

Quest Report - NUFC Statement

 

Following the publishing of the findings of the Quest Report, Newcastle United has issued the following statement:

 

Newcastle United has noted the contents of the final Quest Report compiled by Lord Stevens and his team for the Premier League.

 

The report makes clear that Newcastle United officials have done nothing wrong and have at all times offered their full cooperation, willingly providing full access to all documentation and information requested by the Inquiry team.

 

The club firmly supports the Inquiry and calls on those agents referred to in the report to assist the Inquiry in resolving their outstanding queries as soon as possible.

[Ketsbaia 0]

Not one fucking player we signed was actually any good

[Park Life 70]

Harry and his horse.

[ewerk 26174]

Kenneth Shepherd (apparently acting in an undefined role but not as a Club official)

 

Wtf does he do then? Is he an agent? Or is he paid by the club?

 

It's about fucking time that that twat McKay has been accused of something, why we have continued to work with him is beyond me.

[manc-mag 1]

 

Fucking hell you've got to laugh

[Sima 0]

Shock fucking horror.

 

Not enough that one of our managers was named, but to have just appointed one of the other managers named

Edited June 15, 2007 by Sima

[JawD 31]

At least line your smileys up properly man

 

[ewerk 26174]

Kenneth Shepherd (apparently acting in an undefined role but not as a Club official)

 

Wtf does he do then? Is he an agent? Or is he paid by the club?

 

Actually thinking about it, how can he not be classed as a club official? It's supposed to be Cushing and him running the club in Freddie's absence.

[Jimbo 133]

I must say though, if these rather petty allegations are the best this Quest report can come up with after all this time, it does make a bit of a mockery of it all.

[ewerk 26174]

Souness and Mc Kay both claiming to be "shocked" at being named.

[Barney 0]

I think every fucker knew that something was up with big Willy being involved with every fucking player we were linked to.

 

Not suprised Barton ended up here at all.

 

There was a journo on SSN this morning saying that the fans might not care as long as you got the player in the end, but mentioned that maybe clubs were going after only players from certain agents and may have missed out on far better players due to this.

 

Better than Faye and Boumsong I thought to myself? Pish.

[JawD 31]

Souness and Mc Kay both claiming to be "shocked" at being named.

 

Aye, shocked at being found out maybe?

[NJS 3960]

I must say though, if these rather petty allegations are the best this Quest report can come up with after all this time, it does make a bit of a mockery of it all.

 

The biggest crime seems to be "not co-operating fully" -nowhere near as bang to rights as Graham and Arsenal (got away with murder) were.

 

In fact if there are repurcusions for us I'd site precedent to that case and either ask how Arsenal got away with it or retrospecively close the fuckers down.

[@yourservice 67]

No point in moaning about it tbh

 

We all pay towards their dodgy dealings,yet the blind faith towards the game continues.

 

If it pisses people off that they are ripping people off,then do something about it.

 

FAA - Fans against agents or sumfink or nufink

[Park Life 70]

Bungs is a way of life in football, infact I'd say it was heaped in tradition and the remit of lovable rogues..

 

 

Can't see what all the fuss is about. This has all been brought about by the prawn sandwich brigade.

Edited June 15, 2007 by Parky