23 November 2023 , 07:31
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The Football Association are investigating Jermain Defoe's move from Tottenham to Portsmouth in 2008.
England striker Defoe left White Hart Lane for Fratton Park in January 2008, when both Spurs and Portsmouth were in the Premier League. He helped Pompey secure a top-half finish, but returned to North London 12 months later.
According to The Times, a private hearing in 2008 found that the player himself - as well as Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy - dealt with an unlicensed agent. Punishments for such an offence can vary, but have previously left clubs at the risk of points deductions.
As laid out by FA rules which remain in place today, "An Intermediary and a Player or a Club (as applicable) must have entered into a validly executed writtenRepresentation Contract prior to that Intermediary carrying out any Intermediary Activity on his or its behalf". It is alleged that a representation contract for an intermediary paid by Levy, Stuart Peters, "did not appear to be in place".
The Times also makes reference to a separate alleged offence, relating to the use of unlicensed agent Mitchell Thomas, and indicates that the FA has taken a fresh look at the deal following the paper's own investigation. In 2009, Defoe's former agent Sky Andrew was granted High Court permission to obtain phone records for agent Peters and unlicensed associate Thomas.
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At the time, Mirror Football reported that there was a risk of a points deduction, though this did not materialise. Luton Town were handed a points deduction in 2008 for being found guilty of making illegal payments to agents, but Spurs did not receive such a punishment.
Jermain Defoe spent a year at Portsmouth before rejoining Spurs (Getty Images)“We are looking at the case, and as part of that we will be reviewing the arbitration panel award,” an FA spokesperson told The Times. At the time, Defoe was ordered to pay compensation to Andrew but no disciplinary action was taken against Spurs.
Defoe scored eight goals in 12 appearances for Portsmouth in the 2007-08 season, helping secure an eighth-place finish. He was ineligible to play in the FA Cup, though, watching on as Redknapp's team won the competition.
The following season, the striker scored seven times in the league and twice in the UEFA Cup before returning to Spurs halfway through the season. He spent five years at White Hart Lane in his second spell before moving to Major League Soccer outfit Toronto FC in 2014.
In recent years, efforts have been made to provide more clarity on the role of agents in professional football. A number of reforms were approved by FIFA's council in 2022, with a view to them coming into force this year.
Changes include a cap on the amount agents can earn from a transaction. Additionally, those who wish to act as an intermediary are being required to pass an exam as well as having a licence-approved by the relevant governing body.