Portsmouth Peter Storrie says illegal tapping up of players is rife

16 August 2009 00:23
"The reality is we all know all managers tap players up," Storrie claimed at a Portsmouth fans' forum at Fratton Park. "It's not right, it's illegal and it's against the Premier League's rules, but it happens all the way around." Storrie added that his club were unhappy with the transfer of Peter Crouch from Portsmouth to Tottenham. Asked by one guest to explain the sale of Crouch for £9 million – some £3 million lower than both Fulham and Sunderland were prepared to pay – he revealed that the England striker had informed the club he would only consider a move to join former manager Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane. Tottenham originally offered just £6 million and Storrie admitted Portsmouth had threatened to report them to the league's governing body over their "antics" in concluding the move. "We managed to do a deal after a lot of threats of reporting them," he said. "Peter made it clear he would only go to Spurs and that's always a player's choice." A spokesman for Tottenham confirmed the club did not wish to comment on Storrie's remarks. The sales of Crouch and Glen Johnson, who moved to Liverpool for £17.5 million in June, took Portsmouth's transfer receipts to £77 million in the last 12 months, money Storrie admitted was vital for "keeping the club alive" after owner Sacha Gaydamak admitted he could no longer bankroll the side. At least two more players, believed to be John Utaka and David Nugent, are likely to leave before the close of the transfer window with no sign of an end to the Sulaiman Al-Fahim takeover saga. Storrie admitted to supporters that the club's board do "not know what's happening" and "cannot say when or if" a deal will be concluded. Al-Fahim has, as yet, failed to provide any funds for the club despite being appointed chairman. It is a situation he admits is "frustrating". "The talking should stop now," he said. "If he's going to buy the club it's about time he did so."

Source: Telegraph