That is very fair. However...
Chelsea made an inquiry regarding Frank Arnesen's availability and how they would like to employ him. That is fine, and Tottenham should be given time to consider and reply accordingly. Though, Chelsea thought they'd be ungamely and ALSO send the same message to Frank Arnesen himself, which is in direct breach of the FAPL rules.
In fairness, they may as well have just been complete scum and done to Frank what they've done to Ashley Cole.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FOOTBALL CLUB:
Chelsea Ltd's letter asking permission to approach Frank Arnesen sent to the club on the 21st May was copied to Frank Arnesen. By definition, Frank was therefore approached prior to the club having had any chance to refuse permission.
A further call was made to the club by Chelsea on the 23rd May when again permission to approach Frank was refused and this was confirmed in writing to them at the time. No other discussions were held with Chelsea until Friday 3rd June when, at the Premier League Chairman's meeting, the Chairman and Club Secretary met with the Chief Executive and Chairman of Chelsea. At that meeting our Chairman made clear his disappointment both at the approach and nature of the approach and made clear his intentions to seek substantial damages.
The rule which has been breached is rule U10 which cites 'no club shall directly or indirectly induce or intend to induce any employee of another club to terminate a contract of employment with that other club (whether or not by breach of that contract) or directly or indirectly approach any such employee with a view to offering employment without the consent of that other club'.
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The wonderful world of Chelsea's bully tactics. I do hope Mourinho did not have anything to do with this, I've got a lot of time for him and think - despite his tantrums - is great for English football and world football as a whole.
bitesthedust wrote: I'd introduce as a solution to "tapping-up".
In any other job, an employee is allowed to talk to a perspective employer about working for them whenever he/she wishes. I'm not suggesting footballers should "work their notice" (apart from the bosman ruling) but I would allow the following -
it doesn't work because only ins sport do you get contracted personnel. in industry, there aren't really contracts, so of course we can talk to whoever we like about work, football is different. When a footballer signs a five year contract, he should be bound by it...Ashley fucking Cole is on £1.5m a year and his current FIVE YEAR deal has TWO YRS left to run....if he's injured or not playing well then Arseholes still have to pay him....so WHY shouldn't he honour his contract?
how about a fairer solution?
if the player is under contract then BOTH parties should honour that. If they don't then as well as a fair market value being paid for the player, the buying team should also pay off double whatever is left on his contract and pay a standard fine - say 20% of the transfer fee?
at least this would deter all bar the very determined