Stevens report published

17 deals remain ‘uncleared’

Ashley increases Toon stake

Lord Stevens’ final report, on behalf of the Premier League, into alleged transfer irregularities highlights seventeen transfers and five Premier League clubs, but there is no evidence of irregular payments to club officials or players. The ‘uncleared’ deals involve Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth and Newcastle United while managers Sam Allardyce, Harry Redknapp and Graeme Souness are named in the report as well as fifteen agents. The most prominent is Pini Zahavi. Although the outcome remains vague with a notable lack of specific allegations, Lord Stevens insists:

“Many lessons have been learned and strict adherence to and enforcement of the recommendations should ensure that the game and the transfer market can proceed in an untainted and transparent manner.”

The Premier League are to forward the findings to the Football Association and FIFA for further investigation while the League and FA agree to carry out future random spot-checks on transfers using Lord Stevens’ Quest team.

Despite the club and new manager Sam Allardyce being implicated in the bungs probe, Mike Ashley increases his stake in Newcastle United to 77.06% to remain on course to take the Premiership club from the stock market. The billionaire businessman plans to raise his stake to the 90% so forcing the remaining shareholders to sell their stakes.