Pompey hit out at FA fine

Portsmouth last night claimed they were “astounded” to have been fined £15,000 (€16,700) for breaching Football Association transfer rules over the purchase and sale of striker Benjani Mwaruwari.

Agent Willie McKay was also given a suspended ban by an independent regulatory commission, after he and Pompey were found guilty.

The breach was a technical one in that agents are not allowed to act for two different clubs in two consecutive transactions involving the same player.

It was found that McKay acted on behalf of Auxerre when Benjani moved to Portsmouth in January 2006. He then acted for Portsmouth when the Zimbabwe striker moved to Manchester City in January this year.

A Portsmouth spokesman said: “Portsmouth FC is astounded that the FA have fined the club in respect of Benjani Mwaruwari’s transfers to and from the club.

“We had no idea that the agent Willie McKay received a fee when the player joined us from Auxerre in January 2006, and both the agent and club confirmed this to the FA – evidence they have clearly ignored.”

McKay was given a suspended ban – if there are any further breaches of the FA’s agents’ regulations in the next two years, he will not be allowed to take part in any transactions involving English clubs for the duration of one transfer window.

McKay accepted the outcome but insists he disagrees with the ruling.

“For me it is business as usual in the next transfer window,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I am not particularly happy with (the charge). It is just a long process and I could do without the publicity, especially coming up to the transfer window.”

McKay added: “To be perfectly honest I don’t think the ruling should be there.”

Portsmouth will face a further £15,000 (€16,700) fine if they breach any rules during the next two years.

Commission chairman Paul Gilroy QC stated after the hearing: “The Football Agents Regulations were introduced as an important method of addressing unacceptable practices in professional football, particularly in the transfer market.

“Both parties were fully aware of the new regulations at the time the offences were committed.

“The commission considered that the justice of the case was met by imposing penalties, which to a large degree will act as an incentive to both parties to avoid any future transgressions.”