http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2015875/Bryan-Robson-caught-dodgy-deals-sting.html Manchester United and England legend Robson 'caught up in dodgy deals sting' By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 11:05 AM on 18th July 2011 Add to My Stories Share Former England captain Bryan Robson has allegedly been caught telling would-be investors how to break FA rules by buying two football clubs. Robson, secretly filmed by undercover reporters posing as businessmen, talks about loopholes that can apparently allow the money men to cash in. The Manchester United legend, who won 90 England caps and captained his country, was filmed saying: 'Football's a business.' please log in to view this image Caught on camera: Former Manchester United and England midfielder Bryan Robson Robson says the key is to buy a club on the cheap, win promotion and then sell within a few years. He adds on the programme: 'Build it up from nothing and say it was worth £3million when you bought it and now you can sell it for £150m - that's great business by you.' Robson is employed by the London Nominees Football Fund - a group 'investing in football clubs, players, franchises, merchandising and sponsorship in this outstanding growth industry'. But an investigation by Channel 4 programme Dispatches, to be screened on Monday night, apparently shows Robson and members of the fund explaining ways to break the strict rules governing football club ownership. And the 54-year-old lists a string of clubs to target including Birmingham, Leicester, Sheffield United and his 'big-money' punt Sheffield Wednesday. Robson adds: 'But it's how you name it, because you're only allowed to own one club.' please log in to view this image Money talks: Robson made his claims at meetings in Thailand Reporters pretended to be representing Indian and Chinese businessmen and were told by Robson that he could use his relationships with former team-mates and managers to help with transfers. Robson, London Nominess chief executive Andrew Leppard and lawyer Steve Burkill attended meetings in Thailand where the former West Bromwich boss was managing the national side until last month. As seen in the programme, Leppard apparently explained that one club could be bought through the fund and another club hidden in a sub-fund. Football League chairman Greg Clarke, who was also interviewed for the programme, said: 'We don't want people having the ability to affect results, squad selections, source of managers across a number of clubs - and that's why multiple club ownership is beyond the pale.' please log in to view this image Captain Marvel: Robson during his England days at the 1990 World Cup Asked if he is confident that he knows who the true owners are of every club in the Football League, he added: 'No I'm not. There's a process of validation that lets the Football League know who the owners are. Who the owners of the owners are gets more difficult. And who the owners of the owners of the owners are gets even more difficult.' Joe Sim, chief adviser to the Thai FA and a friend of Robson, says in another meeting: 'Once you have put £5m into the fund, I'll arrange for you and me, we have dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson, then Sir Alex Ferguson will tell you that he is going to lend me the players.' Lawyers for the Manchester United manager confirmed Sim is a friend but said: 'He has never discussed the possibility of loaning any Manchester United players.' A spokesman for London Nominees said: 'Any suggestion Bryan Robson would participate in any breach of League rules is strongly denied.' Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...n-caught-dodgy-deals-sting.html#ixzz1SSfGBFqD
'Build it up from nothing and say it was worth £3million when you bought it and now you can sell it for £150m" this type of thinking show WHY club ownership rules are a joke. on the one hand you've guys ruining a small club by unsustainably pushing it on the hope it gets up there.... then on the other hand you have the likes of the chicken farmers at blackburn who as STUPID enough to by in the prem. I find the whole I'll get utd players on loan thing funny too as we have ALL seen, (no utd fan can deny it) how his son gets any player he wants but when sacked all players are withdrawn.... co-incidence nope. illegal, also nope. bryan robson should now be fifa banned world wide... for being a dope.
It's totally naive of us all to see the corruption that has gone on in the rest of the world and somehow think that english football is clean. Still, as you say, KPR will defo make hay with this
I hope to for footballs sake that if Ferguson is involved in this that he gets the book thrown at him.And this is not anti Man United bias or hatred.Its called ''violation of competition laws''.Its also called attempting to create a cartel.If Man United are involved in this the procedure is that UEFA can fine them 10% of their revenue.They currently make in the region of £285 million a year,they can be fined £28.5 million.However I don't know exactly what the sanctions are for individuals.Whether it involves custodial sentences,I'm unsure.
I was taking it from what I learnt when I was studying some legal modules in college.Cartels are a no-no.The creation of cartels is not allowed.Hence ''Competition''.All football tournaments club or Internationals are ''competitions''.If Man United are aiming to create a cartel they will be punished and fined 10% of their revenue which as I said earlier would be in the region of £28.5 million.
Have a read through it again.Multiple club ownership is creating a cartel.Cartels are illegal.However I also believe that Roman Abramovich's alleged involvement with CSKA Moscow should be looked at.
lol at story, not read it but doesnt soud like he has broken any laws, its the same reason you hire a lawyer find a loophole and use it to your advantage, it may be unethical but not illegal. but ive not read article so i dont know if it is illegal.
terrifictraore i remember the airlines were in a cartel over price fixing a few years ago, nothing happened to them, but thats the way it is in this country the more money u have the more u can get away with the whole world is a veiled cartel, or pyramid scheme and they are illegal too, only illegal for those who want to break the status quo
everyone needs to see 'inside job' get it watched a big eye opener into what really goes on, then you can move onto the true consipiracies lol
If I remember correctly BA was fined £270m not quite nothing, however i don't expect anything to come of this case, or Robson for that matter
timmy5 yea but to a global corporation thats feck all taking their freedom like they would have if me or you had of done it is a proper punishment. the corruption in this world was perfectly analyised in the new york times recently, unknowingly they had two stories next to each other the run down is this. corporate white guy steals $3.5 billion in fraud from taxpayers gets 3 years in jail. black homeless guy steals ten dollars from macdonalds gets 15 years.
There maybe a reason why BA weren't done,they may have attempted to acquire another airline from another country.This is allowed by law.Its perfectly legal.Its also known as ''Strategic Intent''. In Ireland there was up-roar over Ryanair attempting to take over Air Lingus.This is against the law.As it creates a monopoly.However Ryanair could buy BA and it would be 100% legal.Its as I said known as ''Strategic Intent'.
Yeah of course it's not anti Manchester united or hatred at all that comment !!!! What has Fergie got to do with any of that story you fool ?? Robson get caught saying something and you start ranting about fining United £28 million ????? What are you on ?
KingEric07 i was bermuzed by that comment saf isnt mentioned at ay point, its like me saying dalglish was involvedand needs the book thrown at him, when its clearly not the case, he was out on the algarve golf course.
