FA to investigate Leeds 'tap-up' claims

The Football Association have confirmed they will look into Leeds’ claims that Chelsea poached two young players if and when they receive a formal complaint.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates has called for Chelsea to have points deducted or be banned from playing in Europe after vowing to report the Barclays Premiership champions to the FA.

Bates has accused Chelsea of making alleged illegal approaches to three former Leeds academy players, Tom Taiwo, Michael Woods and Daniel Rose last summer.

Woods and Taiwo moved to Chelsea towards the end of last season, and Rose stayed with Leeds.

The former Chelsea chairman stated he would also be making an official complaint to disciplinary chiefs of both FIFA and UEFA.

The Football Association said they have not yet received an official complaint from Leeds.

An FA spokesman said: “We have had communication from Leeds United on this subject but as yet no formal complaint. If this was received, we would give it due consideration.”

Any official complaint would come under the FA’s jurisdiction – rather than the Premier League or Football League – because the two clubs involved are not in the same division.

Bates said: “We want to be compensated for the amount of work that has been put into developing the players.

“Recently Chelsea have been involved in another squabble with another player, this time with Manchester United (John Obi Mikel) and they had to pay £16m (€23.4m) for that.

“That puts the £200,000 (€293,000) they have offered us in perspective. There is no personal vendetta between (Chelsea chairman) Bruce Buck or (owner) Mr (Roman) Abramovich and myself or Leeds or Chelsea,” said Bates, who made a reported £17m (€24.9m) profit when selling Chelsea to Russian billionaire Abramovich in 2003.

“This is a straightforward dispute over the blatant breaching of Football League rules regarding to players which, of course, is consistent with other examples of Chelsea’s illegal approaches to players.

“The most popular one, of course, is the Ashley Cole (case) – one where they are fined and had three points deducted (this deduction was suspended).

“As of today we have reported Chelsea to the Football Association regarding the alleged tapping-up of three of our young players, Michael Woods, Tom Taiwo and Daniel Rose. Woods and Taiwo are now registered as scholars at Chelsea, and Rose is staying at Leeds.”

Bates confirmed that in addition Leeds are taking separate legal action against former academy staff member Gary Worthington for his claimed part in the youngsters’ defection to Chelsea.

Worthington spent five years at Leeds before leaving in July 2005 and taking up a similar post with Chelsea soon afterwards.

Leeds offered scholarship terms to all three youngsters in September last year, with Woods and Taiwo turning them down.

“He (Worthington) broke the terms of his severance agreement within six weeks of taking a cheque and signing his agreement.”

Bates added: “Woods and Taiwo turned the offers down – and at the request of their fathers Woods’ and Taiwo’s contracts were de-registered, with Leeds retaining compensation rights.

“Woods and Taiwo were then taken on trial by Chelsea and the next day agreed terms to become scholars and turned professional with Chelsea on April 10.”

Bates said the London club offered an “insulting” £200,000 (€293,000) for each player and that the money did not cover the amount spent on each player’s development during their time at Leeds.

“We have been deprived of this opportunity (for the players to represent Leeds) by Chelsea’s actions.

“Theo Walcott was able to play first-team football as a scholar at Southampton, which gave him great experience and increased his value – we believe that demonstrates our position.”

Bates claimed Chelsea had gained a reputation in recent years for flouting the rules over approaching players.

“It is not a question of punishing Chelsea for this latest breach, it is a question of stopping them doing it in the future.

“And unfortunately, because of he financial strength of their owner, financial punishments alone will make no difference to them at all.

“If you belong to a league or any competition or club there are rules and by continuing in that competition, club or association there is an implicit acceptance that you have to play by those rules. If you don’t wish to play by those rules and refuse consistently so to do, why should they be allowed to play in those competitions?

“We think therefore that not only should financial punishment be imposed, but other punishments such as the deduction of points, banning of registration of new players or indeed suspension from European competitions would be more appropriate.

“It would make Mr Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea, take responsibility to act to make sure his employees behave in accordance with the rules and regulations.”

Bates said “it was appropriate” to report Chelsea to FIFA, UEFA, the FA and the Football League.

“We have reported them to (these bodies) disciplinary committees, not the arbitration committee. The authorities need to address Chelsea’s continuing improper behaviour.”