Tottenham expert suggests multiple clubs to be investigated in new Jermain Defoe twist
Other clubs could face charges amid the FA’s investigation into Jermain Defoe’s 2004 move to Tottenham.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Spurs and Scotland defender Alan Hutton feared a snowball effect for other clubs after it was reported Tottenham could face a points deduction, while Football Insider’s finance expert Kieran Maguire suggested that they could be banned from competitions as “a cold case has become warmer”.
Evidence suggested that an unlicensed agent was used in negotiations for his move from Portsmouth, but they escaped punishment following the original investigation.
The controversy comes following Everton’s historic 10-point deduction for breaching a Financial Fair Play regulation, but clubs have faced similar sanctions for breaking rules regarding agents.
Hutton fears that a “can of worms” could be opened for many clubs.
“There could possibly be a snowballing after Everton’s charge,” he told Football Insider.
“There’s so many ifs, buts and maybes because we don’t know the ins and outs about what actually went on with the Defoe situation.
“It looks like he’s used an unlicensed agent, we don’t know who paid who or what fees were involved.
“We have to wait and see after it’s all unravelled, but the problem with it is if something does come and they investigate it and see there were issues, then it opens up a can of worms.
“Are they going to investigate more teams? What’s going to happen next? This Tottenham case becomes huge.“
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