FIFA refer Kewell case back to FA

FIFA have referred the investigation into Harry Kewell’s transfer from Leeds to Liverpool back to the Football Association — more than a year after taking up the case.

The FA submitted documentation to the world governing body in August 2004 following concerns as to the role played by Bernie Mandic long recognised as Kewell's representative in the €7.4m deal during July 2003, as he is not officially licensed by FIFA.

Mandic's company, Max Sport, received a payment of around €3m as part of the transfer. There is an Australian-based subsidiary, Sports Corporation International, for whom Mandic's brother Nikola works and it is he who is recognised by FIFA.

As there was an international dimension to the case, the FA had agreed with FIFA they should take up the matter and decide whether any disciplinary sanctions should be imposed.

However, after deliberating over the complex issue, the judge on the FIFA players' status committee has now ruled FIFA "does not have jurisdiction to pass a decision... because Harry Kewell's transfer was not an international one."

The FA are understood to be very disappointed at the outcome, given not only their agreement with FIFA over multi-jurisdiction cases but also at the 13 months which it has taken to be announced.

Officials at Soho Square will now digest the information which is to be passed back by FIFA and "consider potential action under its own regulations as a matter of urgency."

A statement from the FA read: "Following FIFA's statement today regarding the transfer of Harry Kewell from Leeds to Liverpool, the FA can issue the following clarification.

"The FA conducted an investigation, following the transfer in the summer of 2003, into the possible involvement of an unlicensed agent.

"It was agreed between FIFA and the FA that the matter would be dealt with by FIFA. This agreement was based on the fact that matters containing an international dimension come under the jurisdiction of FIFA.

"The FA therefore passed the results of its investigation to FIFA in August 2004.

"As a result of FIFA's decision announced today, the FA will now review the information to be provided by FIFA and consider potential action under its own regulations as a matter of urgency."

Earlier this year Arsenal were fined €14,700 by the FA after admitting the use of an unlicensed agent during the transfer of 18-year-old striker Quincy Owusu-Abeyie from Ajax in 2002.