Stevens report can't clear all cases

The final findings from Lord Stevens' investigation into illegal football bungs in the English Premier League revealed his belief that there were likely intentional violations during transfers.

Of the 17 transfers that he still was investigating after December's report, Stevens said he has not been able in good faith to clear some of those. He would not reveal specifically how many he could not clear.

Some of those might have gone beyond the original bungs payments that the investigation was commissioned to review. There also could be the case of agents violating transfer laws.

It is believed that some of those cases that have not been cleared have been forwarded to the City of London's economic crime department.

The issue now for the league are when and where to make the findings public. Slow leaks likely will not favour the league, and are clubs concerned that the league could be tainted until the public is informed as to exactly what occurred.

The Football Association is trying to decide whether to retain Stevens to investigate more deals. That organisation has not received the full final report, but has had updates from Stevens and his Quest investigators.

Stevens first looked into 362 transfers more than two years ago. He was able to cut that number down to 39 deals among eight clubs. Then that number was trimmed to 17 at the announcement in December.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.