FOOTBALL chiefs have launched an investigation into the transfer deal that brought American goalkeeper Tim Howard to Manchester United, following allegations concerning payments to agents.
However, Old Trafford bosses have launched a vigorous defence against the claims saying the deal was above board.
A dossier on Howard's summer £2.3 million move from United States Major Soccer League outfit New York Metrostars has been handed to the Football Association's compliance unit. It was claimed money was passed from one agent to another after the deal had been completed.
It is claimed the agent who was allegedly handed a large commission fee, Monaco-based agent Mike Morris, is an associate of Jason Ferguson, son of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, raising a potential conflict of interest.
United officials are angered by the suggestion and insist they were perfectly satisfied with the job that Swiss-based agent Gaetano Marotta - the man who allegedly gave the fee to Mr Morris - did on their behalf.
In a statement Manchester United said: "All our transfer deals are approved by the board of Manchester United PLC and are conducted in accordance with FIFA and FA rules.
"Details of all payments involved in those deals are sent to the football authorities as required under their regulations."
Allegations
United say they are confident that any probe will clear them of wrong-doing. At a meeting of United fans and shareholders yesterday chief executive David Gill said he had spoken to David Davies, executive director of the FA, who had told him the allegations had been referred to the compliance unit.
When asked by the M.E.N. if the club would use Mr Marotta again he said: "We look at each deal on its merits."
Agents are not allowed to receive payments from more than one party in transfer deals and the clubs involved must declare all fees paid to the principal agent to the FA.
There is no suggestion in the reports that the club has broken either of these regulations but it is furious at the insinuation that it had acted improperly.
Despite the fact that no offence against football regulations has been alleged the FA have to investigate.
Jason Ferguson declined to discuss the matter with the M.E.N.although it is understood he denies any involvement in the Howard transfer.
Mr Davies said: "Various documents are now in our possession. They will be studied very carefully and any breach of the rules and regulations that they might show will then be discussed as a matter of urgency."
The FA compliance unit has the power to interview anyone - agent, player, manager or official - connected with any alleged offence but even at this early stage it seems highly unlikely United will be subject to any charge.
Oliver Houston, spokesman for fans group Shareholders United, said: "There is no suggestion that anyone we have bought and sold have been done for anything other than football reasons.
"We will of course be keeping an eye on developments."
Since his signing in July Howard has been a star performer for United and many fans believe he could be the signing of the season.
Controversy
MIKE Morris is an influential figure in the football world and well-known to Manchester United.
The Monaco-based soccer agent acts for French forward David Bellion and helped take the youngster to Old Trafford in the summer.
That move caused much controversy and Sunderland, Bellion's club at the time, reported United to the Premier League for approaching him about the move.
In January last year Morris, who is registered as an agent with world body FIFA, spoke publicly about his client's distress about the row between the Reds and his then chairman Bob Murray.
Then Morris claimed that Bellion had abandoned any thoughts of moving to Old Trafford and was prepared to return to France.
Bellion finally completed the move to Manchester in the summer and a fee of £2 million, with the prospect of it rising to £3 million, was agreed in October.
But it was two years earlier that Morris became involved in one of the biggest transfer stories in United's history - the £15m sale to Lazio of Dutch defender Jaap Stam.
Comments
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They are just trying to unsettle the best goalkeeper in the premiership, United are always an open target for the press and Media urgency with the Fa could be six months United should take the said newspaper to court for Liable.
Hi all,
And what a mistake that was getting rid of Stam unless they knew before hand about the nandrolone etc etc.
Lets stop all this messing about Mr Coleman and give us our boy Saha, we could definately do with some new blood and injection up front, van the man cant do it on his own even though Mr Ferguson keeps placing him there on his bloomin own. One last thing Van the man cant shoot outside the box we need someone who has pace and who can also shoot from outside the box.
Don`t hold your breathe for either fairness or a quick conclusion.
I did not notice the FA investigating UNITED for insanity when they snatched Forlan from Boro or for playing Chadwick in the daylight.
Agents have become a problem in representing the players who hire them? Nothing new here. As a Liverpool fan, I do believe that Leeds got a bad deal involving Harry Kewell's transfer, the agent seemed to be the problem there. Players however, need to know if their agents are looking out for their clients best interest instead of the agency. Micheal Owen has been reportedly thinking about sacking his reps over his contract negotiations. That happens here in the USA from time to time, a player dumps his agent & a deal gets done in short order. Middle men are always going to be a problem no matter what line of work your in, agents are just more visable. As for Howard's case, it looks like much to do about nothing. Not much will come out of it & we'll all move forward.