Liverpool silent on potential ‘tapping up’ transfer ban

Michael Graham

Liverpool are declining to comment on reports they could face a transfer ban on academy players after allegations ‘tapping up’ a Stoke youngster.

The case, which involves allegations of a forbidden inducement offered to a 12-year-old, has been ongoing for some time but details only emerged last week.

Reports on Thursday suggested matters are coming to a head and that the most severe sanction could be a transfer ban on youth players, but Liverpool have maintained their stance of not commenting until the process is complete.

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According to the Daily Telegraph, Liverpool have also been accused of reneging on an agreement to pay the unnamed youngster’s school fees – which Stoke were doing – until he turned 16, after they realised that breached newly-introduced rules on inducements and refused to honour the commitment.

If found guilty, possible punishments range from a fine to a transfer ban, although the Premier League also refused to comment on the case.