Unlicensed Agent Scandal: Spurs and Defoe Allegedly Broke Rules, but FA Turned a Blind Eye

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It has been uncovered that Tottenham, along with their chairman Daniel Levy, former Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, and striker Jermain Defoe, were involved in dealings with an unlicensed agent in 2008. However, the Football Association (FA) did not take any disciplinary action against the alleged violations. The FA has expressed its willingness to examine any evidence of significant breaches of agent regulations in a transfer that included Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, and Jermain Defoe.

The Times conducted an investigation and discovered that during a confidential meeting about Defoe's transfer from White Hart Lane to Fratton Park in January 2008, it was revealed that the England striker, Daniel Levy (the chairman of Tottenham), and Harry Redknapp (the manager of Portsmouth at the time) all engaged with an agent who did not possess a license during the negotiations.

Violations of rules by football agents have resulted in clubs losing points and directors being banned. However, in this particular instance, the governing body did not impose any disciplinary measures. On a similar note, Luton Town faced a deduction of ten points in the same year for their breach of agent regulations.

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