By Nick Harris
SJA Internet Sports Writer of the Year
16 January 2012
While no evidence has yet been found of FA rule-breaking at Blackburn Rovers, Sportingingelligence has learned that the Football Association have had a ‘watching brief’ on the club since January 2011 and have taken a particular interest in the activities of agents.
Specifically, the FA is focussing on any potential infringements of a specific clause in the Football Agents Regulations, rule H8b, which is at the bottom of page 9 on the PDF downloadable here.
That clause governs the behaviour of an agent or an agent’s organisation, and considers whether either of those ‘have an interest in a club’, which includes ‘being in a position or having any association that may enable the exercise of a material financial, commercial, administrative, managerial or any other influence over the affairs of the Club whether directly or indirectly and whether formally or informally.’
This is the section of the regs that contains clause 8b:
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Contrary to speculation, the Premier League has not held any inquiry into transfers at Blackburn. This area falls under the FA’s remit.
‘It’s true that we’ve been keeping a close eye on things on Blackburn,’ said a source.
If infringements of H8b were found and proven, the agent and club could both face sanction.
Asked to comment, an FA spokesman said only: ‘We scrutinise all transfer deals as a matter of course.’
Yesterday, Sportingintelligence revealed a letter sent by the then board of the club to Blackburn’s co-owner, stressing unhappiness with their lack of input.
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