Post by Finnish Gas on Jun 5, 2014 12:58:08 GMT
Football League to investigate Third Party Ownership complaint
The Football League has confirmed that it will be investigating Bristol Rovers’ claims that Wycombe Wanderers breached both Football League and Football Association rules on third party ownership. ‘The League will review evidence provided to it by the Football Association in the context of our Regulations at the earliest opportunity,’ read a 28 May letter from the Football League to Bristol Rovers’ representatives, Mel Stein of Clintons and Nick De Marco of Blackstone Chambers.
Rovers alleges that during a recent FA disciplinary hearing, Wycombe Wanderers’ Chairman Don Woodward gave evidence admitting a ‘serious breach in respect of the player Matt Phillips (and possibly other players).’ The club alleges that this gave Wycombe a competitive advantage over Rovers, without which, Wycombe could have been relegated. Rovers was relegated to the Football Conference on goal difference, but such a breach could have resulted in a points deduction for Wycombe.
In a letter sent to the Football League on 27 May, Rovers say it was advised by football agent Phil Smith that during the 9 April hearing, Woodward gave evidence that Wycombe had entered into a written agreement whereby 100% of any sell on fees received from the sale of ‘at least one player, Mr Matt Phillips, was apportioned to Mr Steve Hayes, the former owner of Wycombe…’
The 27 May letter alleges that Wycombe has breached Football League Regulation 48 and the FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations. ‘It would appear that, as of 9 April 2014 when these serious regulatory breaches were disclosed to the FA, the FA had a duty to all of its members to apply the rules and investigate the breaches, and also to inform the relevant competition of the breaches – the Football League,’ reads the letter. ‘Had any disciplinary action been taken promptly, one consequence would have been a points deduction against Wycombe.’
As the Football League replied to Rovers’ claim by 28 May, the club has agreed not to apply for interim relief. However, it has asked the Football League to resolve the matter by 7 June, when the Football Conference Annual General Meeting (AGM) takes place.
The Football League has also asked Rovers to transfer its share in the Football League to Cambridge United, which has been promoted from the Football Conference to replace Rovers in League Two. Under the Football League Articles of Association, each club is entitled to one share in the Football League, which it must surrender upon relegation from League Two under Regulation 7.3. The Football League has asked Rovers to resolve this prior to the Football League AGM on 6 June.
Wycombe Wanderers said it would cooperate fully with any investigation in a 27 May statement.
www.e-comlaw.com/world-sports-law-report/article_template.asp?Contents=Yes&from=wslr&ID=1665
The Football League has confirmed that it will be investigating Bristol Rovers’ claims that Wycombe Wanderers breached both Football League and Football Association rules on third party ownership. ‘The League will review evidence provided to it by the Football Association in the context of our Regulations at the earliest opportunity,’ read a 28 May letter from the Football League to Bristol Rovers’ representatives, Mel Stein of Clintons and Nick De Marco of Blackstone Chambers.
Rovers alleges that during a recent FA disciplinary hearing, Wycombe Wanderers’ Chairman Don Woodward gave evidence admitting a ‘serious breach in respect of the player Matt Phillips (and possibly other players).’ The club alleges that this gave Wycombe a competitive advantage over Rovers, without which, Wycombe could have been relegated. Rovers was relegated to the Football Conference on goal difference, but such a breach could have resulted in a points deduction for Wycombe.
In a letter sent to the Football League on 27 May, Rovers say it was advised by football agent Phil Smith that during the 9 April hearing, Woodward gave evidence that Wycombe had entered into a written agreement whereby 100% of any sell on fees received from the sale of ‘at least one player, Mr Matt Phillips, was apportioned to Mr Steve Hayes, the former owner of Wycombe…’
The 27 May letter alleges that Wycombe has breached Football League Regulation 48 and the FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations. ‘It would appear that, as of 9 April 2014 when these serious regulatory breaches were disclosed to the FA, the FA had a duty to all of its members to apply the rules and investigate the breaches, and also to inform the relevant competition of the breaches – the Football League,’ reads the letter. ‘Had any disciplinary action been taken promptly, one consequence would have been a points deduction against Wycombe.’
As the Football League replied to Rovers’ claim by 28 May, the club has agreed not to apply for interim relief. However, it has asked the Football League to resolve the matter by 7 June, when the Football Conference Annual General Meeting (AGM) takes place.
The Football League has also asked Rovers to transfer its share in the Football League to Cambridge United, which has been promoted from the Football Conference to replace Rovers in League Two. Under the Football League Articles of Association, each club is entitled to one share in the Football League, which it must surrender upon relegation from League Two under Regulation 7.3. The Football League has asked Rovers to resolve this prior to the Football League AGM on 6 June.
Wycombe Wanderers said it would cooperate fully with any investigation in a 27 May statement.
www.e-comlaw.com/world-sports-law-report/article_template.asp?Contents=Yes&from=wslr&ID=1665
