‘I don’t think they can’ – Pundit reacts to Jermain Defoe transfer drama at Spurs

Gabriel Agbonlahor has insisted that the Premier League cannot take disciplinary action against Tottenham for an alleged offence committed 15 years earlier after it emerged that there might have been issues with Jermain Defoe’s move to Portsmouth.

Amid the backdrop of Everton being handed a 10-point deduction for failing to comply with the Premier League’s spending and sustainability rules, The Times revealed on Tuesday that they had led an investigation into a transfer dealing done by Spurs in the past.

The outlet claimed that they had found that Daniel Levy, Harry Redknapp (who was then Portsmouth manager) and Defoe allegedly dealt with an unlicensed agent to facilitate the striker’s move from White Hart Lane to Fratton Park in 2008.

The report stated that the FA took no action against Spurs at the time even though they had handed out points deductions and director bans for similar offences committed by other clubs.

The Times added that on being presented with their evidence, the FA had told them they would review the case to see if there was indeed a breach of agent rules.

Should Tottenham be punished if found guilty?

However, Agbonlahor and Alan Brazil have insisted that English football’s governing body should not dig into offences that were committed a decade and a half ago. They both suggested that the FA and the Premier League are to blame for not punishing Spurs at that time.

Here’s is a transcript of the pair’s discussion on talkSPORT (22/11 6:52 am):

Brazil: “It was in 2008 and they looked at it in 2010 but they decided to take no action.

Agbonlahor: “You can’t go back now surely, I don’t think they can 15 years later. 

Brazil: “No, I think you’re right, it’s too long but it just tells you how unprofessional our governing body has been. You look at every transfer don’t you closely and make sure it’s official people with the right qualifications involved in the deal.

Agbonlahor: “It’s not as if now you can punish Spurs for it now, that would be wild. I think it’s whoever checked it in 2010 and didn’t do anything, they’re the ones that should be punished, not Spurs now after all these years. It’s wild to think that Spurs could be punished now.”

Spurs Web Opinion

If the FA were to reopen this case and punish Spurs, it would open up a major can of worms, with all historic malpractices coming under scrutiny, which is why I expect that they would let this slide. At a stretch, they would perhaps hand Tottenham a modest fine.

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