I e-mailed the FA Premier League on Wednesday re the above and have now received a reply. My original message read as follows:
I write in connection with yesterday's transfer of Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United, as it would seem prima facie that your own rules have been broken during the course of this transfer.
According to press reports Tottenham received a bid from Manchester City for the player, which they accepted. Tottenham then gave Manchester City permission to speak to the player.
Tottenham's chairman was widely reported throughout yesterday evening stating Manchester United did not have permission to speak to the player, but despite this club officials, including the manager met Mr Berbatov, discussed and agreed personal terms and conducted a medical. It was furthermore suggested that Tottenham withdrew their threat of a complaint as part of the 'deal' that eventually took the player to Manchester United.
Of course one simply cannot take press reports as being absolute truth. But equally, one simply cannot turn a blind eye to allegations of this nature, which surely merit an appropriate investigation by the governing body whose rules have been allegedly broken. I would therefore ask you to contact all relevant parties and ask for their explantion of events.
The Premier League responded with:
Thank you for your email. The Premier League is able to act on matters such as this only when a complaint is received from a club. In this case no complaint has been made at this time, but if any club is unhappy with the conduct of another they have the opportunity to contact the League and ask us to investigate. If that happens then we follow a certain procedure, investigate and then act if it appears that a Rule has been broken. Please be assured that when we do receive such complaints they are thoroughly investigated and that the Rules always apply equally to every club. There may be plenty of speculation in the newspapers but we do not comment or act upon rumours or conjecture.
Thanks again for taking the time to write to us.
I am about to write to them again in the following terms:
Thank you for your reply. Your comment that 'the Premier League is able to act on matters such as this only when a complaint is received from a club' appears to be at odds with your own stated Rules namely:
SECTION R Disciplinary
Power of Inquiry
1. The board shall have power to inquire into any suspected or alleged breach of these Rules and for that purpose may require any Manager, Match Official, official or Player to appear before it and to produce documents.
This rule does not indicate that a complaint has to be received from a club, indeed, quite the reverse. Please let me have your comments as to the possible circumstances as to how you could inquire into any 'suspected' breach as opposed to an alleged breach, which implies an specific allegation by a third party.
In addition, could you please let me know the specific rule that specifies a complaint has to be received from a club before you are able to act.
Many thanks,
Before I do so are there any (sensible) suggestions in terms of what can be added, given this seems to be an opportunity to push matters with them?
I e-mailed the FA Premier League on Wednesday re the above and have now received a reply. My original message read as follows:
I write in connection with yesterday's transfer of Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United, as it would seem prima facie that your own rules have been broken during the course of this transfer.
According to press reports Tottenham received a bid from Manchester City for the player, which they accepted. Tottenham then gave Manchester City permission to speak to the player.
Tottenham's chairman was widely reported throughout yesterday evening stating Manchester United did not have permission to speak to the player, but despite this club officials, including the manager met Mr Berbatov, discussed and agreed personal terms and conducted a medical. It was furthermore suggested that Tottenham withdrew their threat of a complaint as part of the 'deal' that eventually took the player to Manchester United.
Of course one simply cannot take press reports as being absolute truth. But equally, one simply cannot turn a blind eye to allegations of this nature, which surely merit an appropriate investigation by the governing body whose rules have been allegedly broken. I would therefore ask you to contact all relevant parties and ask for their explantion of events.
The Premier League responded with:
Thank you for your email. The Premier League is able to act on matters such as this only when a complaint is received from a club. In this case no complaint has been made at this time, but if any club is unhappy with the conduct of another they have the opportunity to contact the League and ask us to investigate. If that happens then we follow a certain procedure, investigate and then act if it appears that a Rule has been broken. Please be assured that when we do receive such complaints they are thoroughly investigated and that the Rules always apply equally to every club. There may be plenty of speculation in the newspapers but we do not comment or act upon rumours or conjecture.
Thanks again for taking the time to write to us.
I am about to write to them again in the following terms:
Thank you for your reply. Your comment that 'the Premier League is able to act on matters such as this only when a complaint is received from a club' appears to be at odds with your own stated Rules namely:
SECTION R Disciplinary
Power of Inquiry
1. The board shall have power to inquire into any suspected or alleged breach of these Rules and for that purpose may require any Manager, Match Official, official or Player to appear before it and to produce documents.
This rule does not indicate that a complaint has to be received from a club, indeed, quite the reverse. Please let me have your comments as to the possible circumstances as to how you could inquire into any 'suspected' breach as opposed to an alleged breach, which implies an specific allegation by a third party.
In addition, could you please let me know the specific rule that specifies a complaint has to be received from a club before you are able to act.
Many thanks,
Before I do so are there any (sensible) suggestions in terms of what can be added, given this seems to be an opportunity to push matters with them?