The FA has today issued over 50 charges in connection with alleged breaches of rules at Luton Town Football Club during the period from July 2004 to February 2007.
The charges are the result of an extensive FA investigation conducted since March this year into the circumstances surrounding a number of player transfers and contract renegotiations.
Summary of charges
Luton Town FC, 17 charges relating to the following allegations:
· Payments to agents for nine specific player negotiations made through the club’s holding company, Jayten Stadium Limited, rather than through the club as required by FA Rules
· Provision of misleading information to The FA
· Not holding representation contracts with the relevant agents for the above negotiations
· Dealing with unlicensed agents (both through Jayten and directly)
Bill Tomlins, 15 charges:
· As Chairman and Director at the time, it is alleged that he was directly involved in 19 of the rule breaches listed above (exceptions are negotiations with two unlicensed agents not conducted through Jayten Stadium Limited)
Derek Peter, nine charges:
· As Finance Director at the time, it is alleged that he approved payments made by Jayten Stadium Limited in relation to the nine negotiations
John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot:
· Currently Directors of the club, they are charged with failing to report the alleged rule breaches when they became aware of them
Licensed players’ agents Sky Andrew, Mike Berry, Mark Curtis, Stephen Denos, David Manasseh and Andrew Mills, each charged with allegedly:
· Failing to ensure that payments to them were made and disclosed through the proper channels, and
· Failing to enter into representation contracts with the club for specific services rendered in relation to the above negotiations
The background
It is alleged that in a number of player transfers, loan deals and contract renegotiations between 2004 and 2007, payments were made to the six agents for their services directly from Luton Town’s holding company, Jayten Stadium Limited.
These payments, totalling around £160,000, were not disclosed to The FA on the required disclosure forms, representing a breach of FA Rules.
It is alleged that this payment mechanism was initiated by Bill Tomlins as Chairman of the club, with each individual payment authorised by Derek Peter as Finance Director. It is alleged that John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot subsequently became aware of this system but did not alert The FA.
There are also a number of alleged breaches of the agents’ regulations in force at the time.
The six licensed players’ agents have all been charged with knowingly accepting payment from Jayten Stadium Limited specifically for their services to the club in securing the services of players. In addition, The FA’s investigation revealed that none of the agents acting for the club in each of the deals had a representation contract with Luton Town.
It is also alleged that in two transactions to secure the services of players, Luton Town dealt directly with two unlicensed agents, both of whom were paid via Jayten Stadium. In addition, the Club has been charged with negotiating with two unlicensed agents in two further player transactions.
Finally, it is alleged that services for the benefit of a Luton Town player, totalling approximately £7,000 in value, were paid for directly by Jayten Stadium Limited but were not disclosed on the player’s contract, representing a breach of FA Rules.
The parties have until 30 November to respond to the charges.
didnt a director resign at the same time as newell. I remember this directors press interview he wouldnt say why he was leaving the board etc but just wanted out.
This isn't exactly surprising. I've posted a couple of things on here before concerning court cases where this sort of thing has come up - indirectly. The FA "procedures" have largely been ignored by all for years.
Still, nice to see the FA concerting their efforts and going for the big boys - Luton. Absolute joke organisation.
Comments
Six licensed players' agents have also been charged.
The charges are the result of an extensive FA investigation conducted since March this year into the circumstances surrounding a number of player transfers and contract renegotiations.
Summary of charges
Luton Town FC, 17 charges relating to the following allegations:
· Payments to agents for nine specific player negotiations made through the club’s holding company, Jayten Stadium Limited, rather than through the club as required by FA Rules
· Provision of misleading information to The FA
· Not holding representation contracts with the relevant agents for the above negotiations
· Dealing with unlicensed agents (both through Jayten and directly)
Bill Tomlins, 15 charges:
· As Chairman and Director at the time, it is alleged that he was directly involved in 19 of the rule breaches listed above (exceptions are negotiations with two unlicensed agents not conducted through Jayten Stadium Limited)
Derek Peter, nine charges:
· As Finance Director at the time, it is alleged that he approved payments made by Jayten Stadium Limited in relation to the nine negotiations
John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot:
· Currently Directors of the club, they are charged with failing to report the alleged rule breaches when they became aware of them
Licensed players’ agents Sky Andrew, Mike Berry, Mark Curtis, Stephen Denos, David Manasseh and Andrew Mills, each charged with allegedly:
· Failing to ensure that payments to them were made and disclosed through the proper channels, and
· Failing to enter into representation contracts with the club for specific services rendered in relation to the above negotiations
The background
It is alleged that in a number of player transfers, loan deals and contract renegotiations between 2004 and 2007, payments were made to the six agents for their services directly from Luton Town’s holding company, Jayten Stadium Limited.
These payments, totalling around £160,000, were not disclosed to The FA on the required disclosure forms, representing a breach of FA Rules.
It is alleged that this payment mechanism was initiated by Bill Tomlins as Chairman of the club, with each individual payment authorised by Derek Peter as Finance Director. It is alleged that John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot subsequently became aware of this system but did not alert The FA.
There are also a number of alleged breaches of the agents’ regulations in force at the time.
The six licensed players’ agents have all been charged with knowingly accepting payment from Jayten Stadium Limited specifically for their services to the club in securing the services of players. In addition, The FA’s investigation revealed that none of the agents acting for the club in each of the deals had a representation contract with Luton Town.
It is also alleged that in two transactions to secure the services of players, Luton Town dealt directly with two unlicensed agents, both of whom were paid via Jayten Stadium. In addition, the Club has been charged with negotiating with two unlicensed agents in two further player transactions.
Finally, it is alleged that services for the benefit of a Luton Town player, totalling approximately £7,000 in value, were paid for directly by Jayten Stadium Limited but were not disclosed on the player’s contract, representing a breach of FA Rules.
The parties have until 30 November to respond to the charges.
· Failing to ensure that payments to them were made and disclosed through the proper channels, and
· Failing to enter into representation contracts with the club for specific services rendered in relation to the above negotiations
he was the manager of luton in this timescale!
I pretty sure I might be wrong that Reg and the board were going to say why Egor and Mills were given the tin tac. Still waiting.
Still, nice to see the FA concerting their efforts and going for the big boys - Luton. Absolute joke organisation.
Always the smaller easier targets!
Oh how shameful those Luton directors must feel now.
And the whole of football for not backing Newell as well.