Loading ...Jul 18 2008
Tottenham Complains About Big Club Behavior
Daniel Levy has complained to the Premier League about the manner in which Liverpool and Manchester United are conducting their approaches to Spurs’ forwards Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov. Levy’s main concern is that both Rafa Benitez and Alex Ferguson have commented in the media on players under contract to Tottenham. Benitez has said that he is pursuing Keane while Ferguson predicted Berbatov’s transfer should be successful given time. Levy’s concern is that each manager is unsettling his players.
Levy has a point, but if Tottenham is going to file complaints every time another club comments on one of their players then they are going to find life amongst the top four very complicated. This summer, just about every player on the Chelsea roster have been the subject of some kind of rumor. Similarly at Arsenal, key players like Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexander Hleb (amongst others) have dominated rumor mills. If Martin O’Neill filed paperwork every time Gareth Barry’s name came out of Rafa Benitez’s mouth, his hands would be covered in paper cuts.
David Levy needs to calm down. Filing paper work is no way to ingratiate your club to the league or the clubs occupying that rarefied air to which your side is aspiring. You are selling Berbatov and you seem to be considering a sale of Keane. If Benitez and Ferguson didn’t comment on these players publicly, they’re be much more negativity directed to them than if they feigned ignorance. I suppose in an ideal world neither manager would be asked to talk, but Levy needs to realize the reality of the situation. This isn’t like Real Madrid coming after Cristiano Ronaldo, a parallel Levy tries to draw. This is rather pedestrian.
Quotes
“Today’s public comments by Manchester United’s manager, announcing that he has made an offer for Dimitar and is confident that the deal will go through with time working in their favour, is a blatant example of sheer arrogance and interference with one of our players.” - Levy
“We have made Tottenham an offer on Berbatov and we have good expectations that this deal will go through.” - Ferguson
“It is also probably one of the worst offences by any manager in the Premier League to date and is unbelievably hypocritical given his recent comments in respect of Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid.” - Levy
“Benitez made similar comments in respect of Robbie recently and we made an official complaint to the PL about the conduct of Liverpool earlier this week.” - Levy
“The behaviour of both clubs has been disgraceful.” - Levy
“We confirm we have received complaints from Tottenham in relation to alleged breaches of Premier League Rules K3 and K8, which govern approaches to contracted players.” - Premier League spokesperson
“The Premier League board will now write to the parties concerned to ask for their observations before considering the appropriate course of action.” - Premier League spokesperson
“We are aware of the allegation and will co-operate with the Premier League as necessary.” - Manchester United spokesperson
Links
Spurs complain over duo
Manchester United confirms Berbatov bid
Spurs report Man Utd and Liverpool to the Premier League
Spurs report United and Liverpool
Spurs report Liverpool and Man Utd
Spurs chief crucifies Fergie and Rafa
Chairman speaks out
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