Tottenham have reported Manchester United and Liverpool to the Premier League for allegedly tapping up star strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane.
In a sensational statement on the club's website Daniel Levey labelled the behaviour of both clubs 'disgraceful.'
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed United have made a bid for Berbatov and is confident the deal will go through.
Levy held no punches in his response, calling his actions:
"A blatant example of sheer arrogance and interference with one of our players."
"It is also probably one of the worst offences by any manager in the Premier League to date and is unbelievably hypocritical given his recent comments in respect of Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid.
"This comes after a series of events, dating back to last summer, which have shown Manchester United to be in breach of Premier League rules."
"As a result, we have today made an official complaint to the Premier League about the conduct of Manchester United.
"Benitez made similar comments in respect of Robbie recently and we made an official complaint to the Premier League about the conduct of Liverpool earlier this week.
"The behaviour of both clubs has been disgraceful. We told both clubs very early on that we had no interest in selling Robbie or Dimitar, respectively, and that they should refrain from pursuing the player.
"Both clubs arrogantly chose to ignore this request and we now have evidence that both clubs have systematically been working to prise the players away from us, outside of Premier League rules of conduct.
Despite insisting the club do not want to sell the pair, he conceded Spurs' position has been comprimised:
"When a player's head is turned and their commitment is absent, particularly when they occupy key positions such as that of striker, they become a negative influence in a team dressing room in which they were once a positive addition and influence.
"This is the situation we now have on our hands, with both Dimitar and Robbie having made it clear that they wish to leave for Manchester Utd and Liverpool respectively.
Berbatov's desire to leave for Manchester United has long since been known by the Spurs' faithful, but Levy's admission that vice captain Keane wants to leave comes less than two months after the Irishman insisted he wanted to stay at Spurs.
He said: "I’m very content with my life and my time at Spurs. I want to play there as long as I’m happy and as long as I’m wanted."
In response to the allegations United published a statement:
"We are aware of the allegation and will co-operate with the Premier League as necessary."
Saturday 19 July 2008
Monday 14 July 2008
TRANSFER UPDATE
If the newspapers are to be believed, Tottenham could lose all three of their strikers before the start of the season, with the Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United story refusing to go away, and the ineffective Darren Bent linked with moves to Everton or Sunderland.
But its the news that Liverpool are interested in vice captain and talisman Robbie Keane that has come as a shock to Spurs' fans - with Rafa Benitez apparently trying to use the funds raised through the sale of Peter Crouch to Portsmouth, and the imminent departure of Scott Carson to secure a deal for the Republic of Ireland captain and record goalscorer.
That would leave Spurs in desperate need to bring in new options up front, with Luis Garcia one of several players linked with a move. The signing of David Bentley to give Aaron Lennon competition for a right-wing berth seems likely to happen in the next few weeks, to go along with the signings of Croatian star Luka Modric, talented Mexican Giovanni Dos Santos and, subject to a work permit, former-PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Meanwhile a whole host of players, including Paul Robinson, Younnes Kaboul, Anthony Gardner, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Kevin Prince Boateng could be offloaded as Juande Ramos looks to clear out the deadwood and raise funds for his own targets ahead of his first full season in charge.
The gut feeling among Spurs fans is that Keane will stay, although his Bulgarian strike partner probably won't. If Keane was to go, a high profile striker like Valencia's David Villa would help to reduce any backlash from the White Hart Lane faithful.
Whatever happens, it looks set to be a busy few weeks down at N17, and the squad could look very different come August 16th.
But its the news that Liverpool are interested in vice captain and talisman Robbie Keane that has come as a shock to Spurs' fans - with Rafa Benitez apparently trying to use the funds raised through the sale of Peter Crouch to Portsmouth, and the imminent departure of Scott Carson to secure a deal for the Republic of Ireland captain and record goalscorer.
That would leave Spurs in desperate need to bring in new options up front, with Luis Garcia one of several players linked with a move. The signing of David Bentley to give Aaron Lennon competition for a right-wing berth seems likely to happen in the next few weeks, to go along with the signings of Croatian star Luka Modric, talented Mexican Giovanni Dos Santos and, subject to a work permit, former-PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Meanwhile a whole host of players, including Paul Robinson, Younnes Kaboul, Anthony Gardner, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque and Kevin Prince Boateng could be offloaded as Juande Ramos looks to clear out the deadwood and raise funds for his own targets ahead of his first full season in charge.
The gut feeling among Spurs fans is that Keane will stay, although his Bulgarian strike partner probably won't. If Keane was to go, a high profile striker like Valencia's David Villa would help to reduce any backlash from the White Hart Lane faithful.
Whatever happens, it looks set to be a busy few weeks down at N17, and the squad could look very different come August 16th.
Friday 6 June 2008
BARCA STARLET TO SIGN
Spurs are set to sign Barcelona wonderkid Giovanni Dos Santos, subject to agreeing on personal terms and passing a medical.
The 19 year old Mexican international made 28 appearances last season, grabbing a hat-trick in the final game of the season.
The highly-rated winger is the son of Brazilian international Zizinho, and could end Spurs' search for a left-sided midfield man.
The 19 year old Mexican international made 28 appearances last season, grabbing a hat-trick in the final game of the season.
The highly-rated winger is the son of Brazilian international Zizinho, and could end Spurs' search for a left-sided midfield man.
Friday 30 May 2008
BOSTOCK TO SIGN
Crystal Palace midfielder John Bostock is set to sign for Tottenham.
The highly-rated 16 year old got his Palace debut back in October when he faced Watford.
Bostock will join up with the Development squad at White Hart Lane once a fee has been agreed.
Meanwhile Spurs have today been linked with a £5million swoop for unsettled Man City defender Richard Dunne.
The highly-rated 16 year old got his Palace debut back in October when he faced Watford.
Bostock will join up with the Development squad at White Hart Lane once a fee has been agreed.
Meanwhile Spurs have today been linked with a £5million swoop for unsettled Man City defender Richard Dunne.
Sunday 11 May 2008
TOTTENHAM 0 LIVERPOOL 2
Tottenham's league season ended in disappointing fashion as goals from Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres secured a comfortable win for Liverpool.
Dimitar Berbatov, in what could be his last game for the club, came closest for Spurs in the first half when his header was saved by Pepe Reina.
Liverpool took the lead midway through the second half when Voronin finished after being played in by a Torres' flick on.
And Torres capped a fine first season in English football as he fired a superb individual effort past Radek Cerny.
Tottenham look set to rebuild their side over the summer as the aim to launch an assault on the Premier League top four next season.
Dimitar Berbatov, in what could be his last game for the club, came closest for Spurs in the first half when his header was saved by Pepe Reina.
Liverpool took the lead midway through the second half when Voronin finished after being played in by a Torres' flick on.
And Torres capped a fine first season in English football as he fired a superb individual effort past Radek Cerny.
Tottenham look set to rebuild their side over the summer as the aim to launch an assault on the Premier League top four next season.
Sunday 4 May 2008
READING 0 TOTTENHAM 1
Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game as Tottenahm got their first win in six to push Reading into the bottom three.
Keane slide the ball past Marcus Hahnemann after he was playing through on goal by Darren Bent, making a rare start in place of Dimitar Berbatov.
Bent hit the post with an effort in the second half before Radek Cerny made two late saves, from Dave Kitson and Liam Rosenior to deny Reading a vital point.
Reading now go into their final game needing a result against Derby, and for Fulham to drop points at Portsmouth to ensure their survival in the Premier League for another season
Keane slide the ball past Marcus Hahnemann after he was playing through on goal by Darren Bent, making a rare start in place of Dimitar Berbatov.
Bent hit the post with an effort in the second half before Radek Cerny made two late saves, from Dave Kitson and Liam Rosenior to deny Reading a vital point.
Reading now go into their final game needing a result against Derby, and for Fulham to drop points at Portsmouth to ensure their survival in the Premier League for another season
Sunday 27 April 2008
TOTTENHAM 1 BOLTON 1
Tottenham's season continued to fizzle out with little more than a whimper as relegation threatened Bolton nicked a valuable point.
Spurs completing dominated the first half in front of new £15.8million signing Luka Modric in the stands, but not for the first time in recent weeks failed to take advantage of their dominance.
Bolton took a shock lead when Stelios bundled the ball home at the start of the second half.
But they couldn't hold on for a valuable win, as Spurs levelled matters just five minutes later. Robbie Keane's shot deflected to Steed Malbranque who finished from close range.
Dimitar Berbatov, who Juande Ramos admitted after the game could leave the club at the right price, should have secured three points for the home side, but he sent his late header over the bar.
Spurs completing dominated the first half in front of new £15.8million signing Luka Modric in the stands, but not for the first time in recent weeks failed to take advantage of their dominance.
Bolton took a shock lead when Stelios bundled the ball home at the start of the second half.
But they couldn't hold on for a valuable win, as Spurs levelled matters just five minutes later. Robbie Keane's shot deflected to Steed Malbranque who finished from close range.
Dimitar Berbatov, who Juande Ramos admitted after the game could leave the club at the right price, should have secured three points for the home side, but he sent his late header over the bar.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
