Source: Daily_Mail
Bryan Robson 'caught up in dodgy deals sting'
Former England captain Bryan Robson has allegedly been caught telling would-be investors how to break FA rules by buying two football clubs. [LNB]Robson, secretly filmed by undercover reporters posing as businessmen, talks about loopholes that can apparently allow the money men to cash in. [LNB]The Manchester United legend, who won 90 England caps and captained his country, was filmed saying: 'Football's a business.' [LNB] Caught on camera: Former Manchester United and England midfielder Bryan Robson[LNB]Robson says the key is to buy a club on the cheap, win promotion and then sell within a few years. [LNB]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.' [LNB]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'.[LNB]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. [LNB]And the 54-year-old lists a string of clubs to target including Birmingham, Leicester, Sheffield United and his 'big-money' punt Sheffield Wednesday. [LNB]Robson adds: 'But it's how you name it, because you're only allowed to own one club.' [LNB] Money talks: Robson made his claims at meetings in Thailand[LNB]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. [LNB]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. [LNB]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. [LNB]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.' [LNB] Captain Marvel: Robson during his England days at the 1990 World Cup[LNB]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.' [LNB]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.' [LNB]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.'[LNB]A spokesman for London Nominees said: 'Any suggestion Bryan Robson would participate in any breach of League rules is strongly denied.' [LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEClub-by-club guide to all the Barclays Premier League summer transfersAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinionWe're looking after No 1! Vidic insists United are strong enough to see off rivals[LNB]
