Michael Noonan saga centres on third-party cut of potential transfer fee

Michael Noonan looked to be heading to Germany earlier in February after TSG Hoffenheim brokered a transfer fee of €1.8m but the player opted to stay at Shamrock Rovers

Michael Noonan will be permitted to join a UK club under Brexit rules during the summer window once he turns 18 in July. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The nub of the bubbling episode surrounding teen striker Michael Noonan is believed to centre on third-party transfer fee cuts.

A report in the Sunday Times confirmed that the player’s family lodged a complaint with the English FA about his agent.

His club, Shamrock Rovers, confirmed on Monday they are not under investigation on that matter but are assisting Fifa after discovering “two agency agreements” within the club. Fifa outlawed the third-party ownership (TPO) in 2015.

Noonan looked to be heading to Germany earlier this month after TSG Hoffenheim brokered a transfer fee of €1.8m but the player opted to stay put and begin the season with the Hoops.

He will be permitted to join a UK club under Brexit rules during the summer window once he turns 18 in July, resurrecting interest from Chelsea, Celtic and other high-profile suitors.

In the meantime, the saga over dealings between his agent, Rovers, and the fallout, will be scrutinised.

UK-based agent David Moss vehemently insists all of his business was in the best interests of the player and is above board. 

“I complied with all legal and regulatory requirements, as confirmed by independent legal counsel,” said Moss, a former assistant head of scouting with Celtic.

Specifically, Moss said his contacts in Rovers were John Martin and Ciarán Medlar. The latter is independent chairman of the club, also known as a financial adviser to the likes of Rory McIlroy, Johnny Sexton and Rachael Blackmore.

The Rovers statement, issued on Monday morning, stressed that Medlar and his board only became aware of the agreements in August.

As Martin left the position of chief executive to join the FAI as director of football in September, its chief executive David Courell will face media questioning about the issue on Wednesday when he fulfils a pre-arranged engagement.

Meanwhile, the FAI will on Tuesday morning meet with Patrick O’Donovan, the senior minister with responsibility for sport.

The Limerick TD was aghast at Drogheda United fans firing a hail of flares onto the new State-funded all-weather pitch at Oriel Park just before kick-off. It’s understood over 50 scorch marks damaged the pristine surface. As it stands, Dundalk will have to foot the repair bill of around €70,000.

O’Donovan is demanding “concrete proposals to stamp out hooliganism once and for all” before lifting the suspension of grants for astro pitches.

He added: “So, unfortunately, now it is a plague in all their houses. But the field looked like it was pock-ridden with badger holes at the end of the match the other night. And all these lads think it’s hilarious.”