Fantasy Football Management

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO "STRANGE" TRANSFER DEALINGS

by Joey Franks for PMF News

Following a number of "strange" transfer dealings, two major clubs in PMF are set to go under full investigation as officials at PMF House attempt to clamp down on suspected foulplay.

The media this month have attacked Aston Villa manager Richard Brown for reportedly agreeing to sell a talented quartet of players - defender Alpay Ozalan, goalkeeper Peter Enckelman, midfielder Hassan Kachloul and striker Bosko Balaban - to Division 3 side Wimbledon, managed by Brown's personal friend Chris Macklin.

With no concrete evidence to back up their claims though, nothing could be made of the alleged dealings. But this morning PMF Head Internal Investigations Officer Dirk van der Kok told reports in a prepared statement from PMF House in London that "a number of admittedly strange transfer dealings have occurred between Mr. Richard Brown and Mr. Chris Macklin", and that a "full investigation" would be launched in the coming weeks.

PMF Executive Dr. Olivier Cadin also later talked to reporters, saying "I believe that the Villa board have made the correct move in blocking these transfers, and under Mr. van der Kok we will be launching our own investigation into the circumstances surrounding these dealings."

It is not known currently what the exact figures of the transfer were, but it is believed that Macklin had attempted to acquire - and had the offer accepted by Brown - the talented quartet of internationals for a combined total of under £3.5 million. It is believed though that oft-outspoken Villa chairman Doug Ellis made a last minute decision to block the transfer from taking place.

Exactly what the punishments are will be discussed during the investigation, which will continue through the Christmas break and into 2002. There are likely to be repercussions for Aston Villa for making the decision to block the transfers after the forms had been cleared with PMF House, while the friendship of Macklin and Brown will be investigated.

Christopher Thompson, a season ticket holder at Villa Park, was utterly disgusted with the news that four Villa stars could leave for "such a paltry fee". "God knows what he (Richard Brown) was thinking when he accepted that, and bloody Doug Ellis, he's done it again!"

van der Kok, who joined PMF House last month as the Head of the Internal Investigations unit from his native Holland, will personally oversee the first major scandal in PMF's short history. He is known as a harsh disciplinarian in his homeland, and any wrongdoings discovered by the Dutchman are expected to be dealt with harshly and quickly.

Surprisingly, Wimbledon have also allowed the release of four players from their contracts. Striker Patrick Agyemang, goalkeeper Ian Feuer, forward Joel McAnuff and midfielder Ian Selley were all released from their contracts with mutual consent this morning, although it is believed that van der Kok may look at this decision in his investigations.

The only question that remains is, was there any deliberate wrongdoing? It's up to Macklin and Brown to claim their innocence as the scorn of the footballing world is set to be unleashed on them in coming weeks.