FINANCIAL SWAMP

Last updated : 31 May 2004 By editor

From Telegraph:

'No explanation as to why the transfer of Alan Smith to United should require a payment on £750,000 to the badge kisser's agent.

Leeds wanted to sell him, Manchester United wanted to buy him, Smith couldn't wait, so how does an agent cop a fortune for simply putting his client on the M62?

It's as much a mystery as the function of the human appendix or that even greater mystery, where exactly some of these payments end up.

I have an agent. I pay him a percentage of any deal he negotiates. Why should football be any different? The answer is because football is corrupt as well as being daft in the head.

It has allowed what should be straightforward transactions to become underhand and obscure. Any principles involved have been forsaken by giving the power in deal making to men who are as dubious as they are unnecessary. It is no way to run a so called legitimate business.

It is not just the financial swamp that stinks the place out.'