McKay accuses FA of sending Quest interview to Portsmouth

Willie McKay has requested a meeting with the FA after claiming they passed on unrelated information to Portsmouth

The high-profile agent Willie McKay has demanded a meeting with the Football Association after claiming the full, 100-page transcript of his interview with the Quest team investigating alleged corruption in football has been passed to Portsmouth by Soho Square officials.

McKay and Portsmouth had been charged by the FA with breaches of rules in relation to the transfer of Benjani Mwaruwari to and from the club. Under the FA's regulations agents are prohibited from acting for two different clubs in two consecutive transactions involving the same player, something McKay is alleged to have done when Benjani joined Portsmouth and then Manchester City.

He explained that he had no objection to Portsmouth being in possession of the extracts of the Quest interview relating to his role in Benjani's transfers to and from the club but believed there was no reason for Portsmouth to be in receipt of the entire document, much of which relates to his work at other clubs.

"My lawyers have asked for a meeting with the FA because I still believe there is a witch-hunt, because, at the end of the day, what are my transfers to Rangers, Liverpool and Newcastle to do with Portsmouth?" asked McKay. "The part when I was interviewed about Benjani, OK, an extract of that should have been sent to Portsmouth. I'm OK with that. But sending the whole interview to Portsmouth, which lasted about six hours and was a document of about 100 pages ..."

McKay said he had lodged an appeal against the FA charges. It is alleged he acted on behalf of Auxerre when Benjani left to join Portsmouth in January 2006 and then later acted for Portsmouth when the forward moved to City. The rule, however, was not in place when Benjani joined Portsmouth. "At the end of the day, if I've done it I've done it, but what have I done wrong?" said McKay.

The FA confirmed that paperwork had been sent to Portsmouth in the wake of the Benjani charges, but would not comment on McKay's claim that the full transcript of his Quest interview was with the Premier League club. "We are not prepared to discuss the details of an ongoing case due to confidentiality," said an FA spokesman. Portsmouth, who have said they will strongly contest the charges, did not respond to calls last night, and no one was available for comment at Quest.

The agent's interview with Quest was conducted after the Premier League set up an independent inquiry to look into 362 transfer deals. Last year Quest emphasised that it had not discovered any irregular payments in transfers involving McKay.

Contributor

Stuart James

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
FA charges Willie McKay and Portsmouth over breach of rules

Portsmouth and Willie McKay have stressed their innocence in Benjani transfers following an FA charge

Stuart James

14, Aug, 2008 @11:01 PM

Article image
Football: Premier League - Everton 0-3 Portsmouth

Jermain Defoe scored two and set up the other as Portsmouth got their first points of the season

Sachin Nakrani at Goodison Park

31, Aug, 2008 @11:01 PM

Football: Harry Redknapp and Alex Ferguson sitting tight but change is in the air

With this summer's transfer market being surprisingly quiet, the Community Shield will be a decidedly low key affair

Kevin McCarra

08, Aug, 2008 @11:01 PM

Article image
A perfect start but United will not be scared, says Scolari

The Blues' rout of Portsmouth surprised even their manager Luiz Felipe Scolari in its fluidity and cohesion

Dominic Fifield

17, Aug, 2008 @11:01 PM

Premier League: Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth

Deco was instrumental in the Blues' opening day romp, scoring his side's fourth in their 4-0 win over Portsmouth

Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge

17, Aug, 2008 @11:01 PM

Football: Manchester United had to win at all costs, says Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand stressed that it was vital Manchester United avoided a repeat of last season's slow start

Sachin Nakrani

26, Aug, 2008 @11:01 PM

Article image
Jordan: We must help Crouch and Defoe

Crouch and Defoe partnership failed to impress Sachin Nakrani at Wembley

Sachin Nakrani at Wembley

10, Aug, 2008 @11:01 PM

Digger: Tennis hunt for chief executive could thwart FA

The ATP's search for a new chief executive could impinge on the FA's recruitment of the same kind

Matt Scott

20, Oct, 2008 @11:01 PM

Football: FA and Boro react sharply after racist fan avoids ban

There is widespread disappointment after a judge imposed only a fine on a Newcastle fan guilty of racist chanting at Boro

Dave Middleton

11, Dec, 2008 @12:01 AM

Article image
Portsmouth appoint FA's David Lampitt as chief executive
Portsmouth have appointed the Football Association's head of football integrity, David Lampitt, as their new chief executive

Matt Scott

09, Apr, 2010 @7:18 PM