Villa charged for Beattie approach

Aston Villa have been charged by the Premier League for making an alleged illegal approach for Southampton striker James Beattie this summer.

The Premier League started the disciplinary action against Villa, who could face a large fine if found guilty, after an official complaint was lodged by the Saints.

This followed public comments from Villa boss David O’Leary revealing his belief that Beattie wanted to move to Villa Park after the club’s £6m (€8.7m) bid had been rejected.

A Premier League spokesman confirmed: "We received an official complaint from Southampton so we looked into the matter and took the decision to charge Aston Villa with making an alleged illegal approach for James Beattie.

“An independent commission has been appointed but no date has yet been set for a hearing.”

Villa, who deny the charge, could face anything from a warning to a points deduction if found guilty, although a fine is likely.

That was the punishment handed out to Liverpool in a similar case involving the transfer of Germany international Christian Ziege from Middlesbrough a few seasons ago, although the matter eventually ended up in the civil courts.

The latest row began when Villa pursued Beattie over the course of this summer, with their top bid of £6m (€8.7m) for the striker having failed.

After Southampton had lost 2-0 at Villa Park on the opening day of the season, O’Leary was quoted on Villa’s official website as saying: “All I can say is that I think there’s a player there who definitely wants to join us.

“He has an opportunity to join a few people, but I think he sees the way we play is good for strikers and that he will get a few goals.”

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe, who was determined to hold onto Beattie, claimed that O’Leary’s comments were tantamount to evidence of an illegal approach.

Premier League rules state that a club cannot approach a player directly with a view to a move without his club’s permission unless he is in the final six months of a contract. Beattie did not fall into that category.