Report: Spurs could face ‘potential relegation’ from PL for breaching FA rules 

Football Insider have claimed that Tottenham Hotspur could be hit with a serious punishment for breaching FA’s agent rules during Jermain Defoe’s transfer to Portsmouth in 2008, with potential relegation also on the cards.

The Times reported earlier this week their investigation had shown that Spurs dealt with an unlicensed agent, Mitchell Thomas, for Defoe’s £7.5m switch from White Hart Lane to Fratton Park in 2008.

The outlet explained that while Tottenham escaped unpunished at the time, other clubs had been handed significant punishment for the same offence, with Luton Town even being docked 10 points for breaking the agent rules in that very same season.

The FA have subsequently confirmed that they will be reopening the case against the North London club and look into why no action was taken (Sky Sports).

Serious punishment could be coming for Tottenham

Football Insider have now claimed that Tottenham could be facing serious punishment for their mistake as there is now a growing appetite among football’s governing body to hit clubs hard if they are found to have breached the rules.

With legislation regarding an independent regulator for English football set to be discussed in the British parliament, it is explained that the FA are keen to demonstrate that they will not allow clubs to get away with breaches of regulation.

The outlet states that breaching FA’s agent rules has led to various clubs being hit with points deductions, suspensions for directors and transfer bans in the past, with ‘even relegation a possibility’.

Spurs Web Opinion

I do not think there is any chance the FA will consider relegating Spurs retroactively for something that happened a decade and a half ago. 

However, they will be keen to show that there is no favoritism towards the big sides, which is why I expect Tottenham to be hit with a fine if they are found to have used an unlicensed agent.

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