Rooney's Agent Lies

[ICTChris]

From the Grauniad

Rooney blackmail case collapses

Leading agent could face perjury charge after he admits lying to court over his links with England star

Helen Carter and Paul Kelso

Tuesday October 12, 2004

The Guardian

Wayne Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, could face perjury charges after the case against three men accused of blackmailing him collapsed following evidence that Mr Stretford had lied in court.

John Hyland, a boxing promoter, and brothers Christopher and Anthony Bacon, had been accused of trying to intimidate Mr Stretford, one of the game's leading agents, in a long-running and bitter battle for Rooney's signature .

Warrington crown court heard evidence that Mr Hyland and the Bacon brothers, associates of Rooney's original agent, Peter McIntosh, had tried to intimidate Mr Stretford into handing over 50% of the profits arising from Rooney's contract. But the case was dropped after it became clear that Mr Stretford had made false statements while giving evidence last week.

The case has its roots in a protracted battle to handle the lucrative affairs of Rooney, the most exciting talent in English football, who last night flew to Azerbaijan with the England squad for a World Cup qualifier.

The court heard allegations of dirty tricks, intimidation and criminal connections that did little to redeem the reputation of agents, the most reviled members of the football community despite their central role in the business.

Mr Stretford, whose Formation Group (formerly Proactive Sports Management) is set to receive £1.5m from Rooney's recent transfer from Everton to Manchester United, told the court that he had not represented the player before December 2002, when Rooney's contract with Mr McIntosh expired.

But documents disclosed over the weekend revealed he was representing the player as early as September 2002. Prosecution barrister John Hedgecoe said: "Having seen those documents, in particular that one dated September 19 [2002], we do not feel able to rely on Paul Stretford as a witness in this case.

"In view of his importance as a witness to the way in which we have put this case from the outset, we have decided that the only appropriate course is to offer no further evidence."

Judge David Hale passed not-guilty verdicts on all three men.

Cheshire police confirmed they were reviewing Mr Stretford's evidence, but refused to comment further.

The dispute that ultimately led to the failed prosecution began in 2002, when Rooney, then 16, was earning rave reviews with Everton. At the time, he was represented by Liverpool-based Mr McIntosh, but his precocious talent ensured that others were interested in signing him.

Rooney's circumstances represented a huge opportunity for the agents. Football Association regulations prohibit players from signing full-professional terms as 16-year-olds, but once they turn 17 (as Rooney would in October 2002) that figure can massively increase. Rooney was on just £90 a week as a trainee, but his first full-time contract with Everton, negotiated by Mr Stretford, was worth £13,000 a week.

The prospect of a cut of that salary, plus other lucrative rights, merchandise and media deals, prompted Mr Stretford to attempt to prise Rooney away from Mr McIntosh in summer 2002.

Mr Stretford brought Everton's youth recruitment officer to Proactive, but in court denied he had done so because the man was trusted by the Rooney family.

He also denied ordering his clients, including Everton's then captain, Kevin Campbell, to persuade Rooney to join Proactive. He rejected the suggestion that Kenny Dalglish, a Proactive director, had visited the Rooneys' home to use his influence.

He also denied any wrongdoing in recommending that the Rooney family seek independent legal advice from a Liverpool solicitor under investigation for defrauding clients. The solicitor, a friend of Mr Dalglish, was later struck off and has since died.

Rooney signed a representation deal with Proactive in September 2002, and the following month Mr Stretford negotiated professional terms with Everton.

The loss of Rooney's contract is alleged to have enraged associates of Mr McIntosh, including Mr Hyland, who felt that Mr Stretford had poached the player while he was still under contract and that he should pay compensation.

At a meeting at the Moss Nook restaurant, near Manchester airport, in November 2002, Mr Stretford offered Mr Hyland £250,000 in cash in a black bag if he would relinquish his claim to the player, but Mr Hyland rejected it. At another meeting that month with Mr Stretford and Mr Dalglish, at the Meridien hotel, near Heathrow, Mr Hyland was introduced to Tommy Adams, described in court as a "notorious London criminal". Mr Stretford denied inviting Mr Adams.

In April 2003, Mr Stretford arranged a meeting at the Lord Daresbury hotel, near Warrington, to discuss the issue with Dave Lockwood, another business associate of Mr McIntosh.

The meeting, which Mr Stretford secretly filmed, was interrupted by Mr Hyland and the Bacon brothers bursting into the room. Mr Hyland shouted and swore at Mr Stretford, calling him a p***k and urging him to sign a contract which would split his Rooney earnings 50-50.

There was no comment from Mr Stretford or the Formation Group last night.

Proactive was one of the first player representation agencies to be listed on the alternative investment market (Aim). It has had scores of football managers and players among its shareholders, and some of its deals have raised eyebrows because of the potential for conflict of interest.

Mr Stretford has strong links with Newcastle United. Kenneth Shepherd, the son of the chairman, Freddy Shepherd, is Formation's head of business development. Four of the club's last five managers, Graeme Souness, Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan and Mr Dalglish, have held equity in the company.

Newcastle United opened the bidding for Rooney when he said he wanted to leave Everton in August.

The FA last night declined to comment.

Shock, horror - agent lies!

Here's hoping he gets done for perjury in a Jonathon Aitkin stylee.

[Savage Henry]

And oh, Martin O'Neill just won a case against the BBC at which the nature of his relationship with Paul Stretford and Proactive Sports Management was at the centre....

No surprise whatsoever that this happened, especially if one reads Private Eye.

Edited due to lousy spelling.

[Tormod Macleod]

Martin O'Neill just one a case against the BBC

Might wanna edit that Jim

Especially if won reads private eye