Wednesday Sep 20 2006 08:59
Chelsea and
Liverpool are likely to be investigated by the Football Association and Premier League after being accused of trying to tempt youngster Nathan Porritt away from Middlesbrough.
BBC's Panorama programme, broadcast on Tuesday, showed hidden camera footage of the 15-year-old being touted to the clubs by agent Peter Harrison.
The programme also contained allegations of bung taking and an illegal approach for an established player, and the Premier League has asked the BBC for access to all the evidence collected during the making of the documentary.
Viewers saw Harrison discussing Porritt's future with Chelsea's director of youth football Frank Arnesen and with officials from Liverpool, with both clubs seemingly keen to sign him.
Both clubs have denied breaching regulations.
Chelsea have a suspended three-point deduction hanging over them as a result of the Ashley Cole tapping-up affair, but this would not come into play even if the club were to be found guilty of making an illegal approach for Porritt.
The penalty is thought to relate to Premier League rules governing contracted players, while a separate set of regulations applies to approaches for academy players.
Have your say on this article