These charges relate to the circumstances surrounding his acquisition of the right to represent Wayne Rooney in 2002/03, and the evidence he provided in respect of a case heard at Warrington Crown Court in October 2004.

He has 14 days to respond to the charges.

See Paul Stretford statement 24 February 2006

The charges

1. Paul Stretford has been charged under FA Rule E1d with three breaches of the Code of Professional Conduct contained in the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations.

The alleged breaches refer respectively to:

a. Part III whereby it is alleged that he failed to protect the interests of his client

b. Part IV whereby it is alleged that he failed to respect the rights of his negotiating partners and third parties

c. Part IV whereby it is alleged that he failed to refrain from any action that could entice clients away from other parties

- FA Rule E1 states that:

The Association may act against a Participant in respect of any "Misconduct" which is defined as being a breach of the following:…

d. the Statutes and Regulations of FIFA…


- The Statutes and Regulations of FIFA include the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations, which contain a Code of Professional Conduct.

- Part III of the Code of Professional Conduct states that:

The players’ agent shall protect the interests of his client in compliance with the law and a sense of fairness, while creating clear legal relations.

- Part IV of the Code of Professional Conduct states that:

The players’ agent shall, without fail, respect the rights of his negotiating partners and third parties. In particular, he shall respect the contractual relations of his professional colleagues and shall refrain from any action that could entice clients away from other parties.


2. Paul Stretford has been charged under FA Rule E1d in respect of three breaches of Article 12.10 of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations, which require agents to lodge representation contracts with their national association. It is alleged that he failed to lodge three such contracts.

- FA Rule E1 states that:

The Association may act against a Participant in respect of any "Misconduct" which is defined as being a breach of the following:

d. Statutes and Regulations of FIFA.


- The Statutes and Regulations of FIFA include the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations.

- Article 12 of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations refers to written contracts between agents and players. Article 12.10 states that:

The representation contract shall be issued in quadruple and duly signed by both parties. The player or the club shall keep the first copy and the players’ agent the second. The players’ agent shall send the third and fourth copies to his national association, or the national association to which the player or club belongs, for registration within 30 days of their having been signed. The national associations shall keep a register of the contracts being received. Copies of the contracts shall be sent to FIFA upon request.

 
3. Paul Stretford has been charged under FA Rule E1d for either:

a. breaching Article 12.2 of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations, in that it is alleged that he entered into a representation contract with Wayne Rooney which exceeded the two-year limit for written contracts between agents and their clients

or alternatively

b. breaching Article 13 of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations, in that it is alleged that he allowed an officer of his company to undertake duties that fall outside administrative duties connected with the business activity of a players’ agent.

- FA Rule E1 states that:

The Association may act against a Participant in respect of any "Misconduct" which is defined as being a breach of the following:

d. the Statutes and Regulations of FIFA.


- The Statutes and Regulations of FIFA include the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations.

- Article 12 of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations refers to written contracts between agents and players. Article 12.2 states that:

Such a contract shall be limited to a period of two years but may be renewed in writing at the express request of both parties. It may not be tacitly prolonged. […]


- Article 13 of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations states that:

A players’ agent may organise his occupation as a business as long as his employees’ work is restricted to administrative duties connected with the business activity of a players’ agent. Only the players’ agent himself is entitled to represent and promote the interests of players and/or clubs with other players and/or clubs. […] 



4. Paul Stretford has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule E3 in relation to allegations of:

a. making false and/or misleading witness statements to police

b. giving false and/or misleading testimony to Warrington Crown Court.

In doing so, it is alleged that his conduct was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

- FA Rule E3 states that:

A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute […]