Portsmouth and agent punished over Benjani transfers

Portsmouth were fined 15,000 pounds (23,000 dollars) while players' agent Willie McKay received a suspended ban by the Football Association for breaching rules during the transfer to and from the Premier League club of Benjani Mwaruwari.

Under FA rules, agents cannot act for two different clubs in two consecutive transfers involving the same player.

An independent regulatory commission found McKay had represented Auxerre when Benjani moved from the French club to Portsmouth in January 2006 and again when the Zimbabwe forward left the south coast side for Premier League rivals Manchester City in January this year.

McKay was given a suspended ban on Monday – although if he contravenes FA agents regulations during the next two years he will be banned from involvement in any transactions involving English teams in one transfer window.

Pompey meanwhile face a further 15,000 pounds fine if they fall foul of the rules in the next two years.

“The Football Agents Regulations were introduced as an important method of addressing unacceptable practices in professional football, particularly in the transfer market,” said commission chairman Paul Gilroy.

“Both parties were fully aware of the new regulations at the time the offences were committed.

“The commission considered that the justice of the case was met by imposing penalties which to a large degree will act as an incentive to both parties to avoid any future transgressions.”