so it isnt just us:
Arsenal accused of 'secret payments'
By David Bond
(Filed: 02/06/2006)
Arsenal were at the centre of secret loans allegations last night after a police investigation unearthed evidence that the London club lent £1 million to a company involved in the takeover of Belgian club Beveren.
Transfer talk: Emmanuel Eboue
Although Arsenal have had a technical relationship with Beveren since 2001 they have in the past denied any financial involvement. The team have effectively been used as a nursery club by Arsenal with Emmanuel Eboue the most recent example of a player who impressed first in Belgium before being signed by the Premiership side.
But a BBC Newsnight investigation, screened last night, uncovered how Arsenal vice chairman David Dein loaned 12 million Belgian francs (around £200,000) to a company called NV Goal which went on to become a major shareholder in Beveren.
Newsnight claims that investigating magistrates in Belgium, who began probing the club amid fears - now discounted - that it was being used by the mafia to launder money, concluded that Arsenal secretly handed over £1 million. The company was then able to fund the takeover of Beveren.
They became suspicious after large numbers of players from Africa, particularly the Ivory Coast, began to dominate the club's first team. According to Newsnight, the club was used to bring cheap African players to Europe where they could gain experience and work permits before being sold on to bigger clubs for vast profits.
Arsenal last night admitted lending the money to the member of a consortium who used it to stabilise the finances of Beveren but denied any wrongdoing and insisted they had never owned any shares in the club.
Although Uefa have rules which prevent any club owners from owning more than 50 per cent in another club playing in the same competition, there are no FA, Fifa or Uefa rules which stop one club or club official lending money to another club or their directors.
However, the controversy is an embarrassment to a club which have always prided themselves on doing things by the book. And last night Fifa president Sepp Blatter turned up the pressure by calling on the Football Association to look into the Newsnight claims.
Blatter said: "Let Arsenal give the Football Association their report. It will be then be reported later to Fifa. But for the time being I am not in a position to make any comments about what punishments or sanctions should be taken against a club."
In a carefully worded statement, the club said: "Arsenal Football Club are aware that BBC Newsnight is carrying a story this evening purporting to describe Arsenal's relationship with Belgian football club, Beveren. Arsenal do not normally make public its agreements with third parties.
"However, Arsenal can confirm that we have had a technical relationship with Beveren since 2001. This relationship has a number of benefits to both clubs such as providing a platform to share coaching methods and techniques as well as facilitating the option of players being loaned between the clubs. For example, during the course of the relationship, Arsenal players David Grondin, Liam Chilvers, John Halls and Graham Stack all spent successful loan periods at Beveren as did Emmanuel Eboue, who played in a number of trial matches with Arsenal whilst contracted to Beveren. Such was the latter player's success, Arsenal subsequently signed Eboue on a permanent basis.
"In addition, Arsenal confirm that we have never owned, directly or indirectly, any shares in Beveren or had any power whatsoever to influence its management or administration. Arsenal did, in 2001, provide funds of 1,570,703 euros by way of loan to a member of a consortium who used the money to assist in stabilising the finances of Beveren. At no time has anyone at Arsenal been contacted by any regulatory or investigatory body with respect to its relationship with Beveren.
"Arsenal and all their staff have acted properly throughout, in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations, and in the best interests of Beveren, Arsenal and the broader footballing community."
A Uefa spokesman said they were powerless to act but that the recent independent review of European football would look to address the issues raised by the investigation. He added: "These are all issues which will need to be solved in the interests of the game because you can break no rule and no law but at the same time most fans would acknowledge that there is a problem here."
telegraph.co.uk
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