Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly at risk of the FA's wrath over allegations that they dealt with an unlicensed agent during talks over Jermain Defoe's move to Portsmouth in 2008.
The former England striker - who retired from football midway through the 2021-22 season - spent four years at White Hart Lane during his first spell at Tottenham, who signed him for £9.1m from West Ham United in 2004.
Midway through the 2007-08 season, Defoe was transferred to Portsmouth for £8.1m, although he could not contribute to their FA Cup success that year on account of being cup-tied.
A short-lived spell at Fratton Park saw Defoe amass 18 goals and five assists in 36 games before rejoining Spurs for a higher fee in 2009, when Portsmouth sold him back to the Lilywhites for £14.3m.
However, according to The Times, the 41-year-old's initial sale to Portsmouth in 2008 was the subject of an FA investigation into claims that an unlicensed agent was involved in negotiations.
© Reuters
Mitchell Thomas - a former defender who played for Tottenham between 1986 and 1991 - was said to have played a fundamental role in talks with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and then-Portsmouth head coach Harry Redknapp.
Thomas was alleged to have been an unlicensed agent during the negotiating period, though, which is a breach of FA regulations, and the governing body are now looking into the case again.
The FA took no action against Tottenham when they first took a closer look at the transfer in 2008, purportedly due to a lack of relevant documents, although the report claims that they were aware of Thomas's involvement and possessed "detailed" phone records.
Now, an FA spokesperson has affirmed that "serious breaches" will be re-investigated if new evidence comes to light, saying: "The case was heard by an independent arbitration panel 15 years ago.
"The FA was not a party to the arbitration. It is unclear how much information was shared with the FA at the time, and no disciplinary action was taken. If there is new evidence which was not available at the time, and which suggests serious breaches of our rules took place, we will review it."
© Reuters
Should Tottenham be found guilty of breaching FA regulations, the North London club could apparently face sanctions as severe as relegation, alongside points deductions, transfer embargoes and director suspensions.
At the start of the 2008-09 season, Premier League new boys Luton Town - then in League Two - were docked 10 points over payments made to agents, which amounted to gross misconduct, but Tottenham reportedly declined to comment on the Defoe case following the recent revelations.
Accusations of rule-breaking against Tottenham come after Everton were hit with a 10-point deduction for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules, while investigations into Manchester City's 115 alleged Financial Fair Play breaches are ongoing.
Chelsea could also be at risk of severe sporting punishments over allegations of secret payments linked to former owner Roman Abramovich, who is facing questions about his purported use of offshore companies for the club's benefit.
Tottenham sit fourth in the Premier League table - two points behind leaders Manchester City - and return to action with a home match against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Ben Knapton
