Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar is the latest Premiership star whose transfer is to be dragged into the ongoing inquiries into possible illegal payments in football, as the net closes on the Premiership from a range of international investigations.
In the wake of Lord Stevens's announcement last week that 39 transfers are being investigated for possible irregularities by the Premier League's own inquiry into corrupt payments, at least three judicial probes across Europe are targeting English clubs for details of transfers.
And the Italian fraud squad, responsible for the inquiries that saw Juventus relegated to Serie B this season, are turning their attention to Premiership clubs as they investigate transfers between English and Italian clubs.
Italian prosecutor Stefano Palazzi has asked to see Van der Sar about what he knows of events surrounding his 2001 transfer from Juventus to Fulham. Although the Holland star is cooperating, United's fixture schedule has so far prevented him from flying to Turin for the interview.
There is no suggestion that Van der Sar is involved in Italian match-fixing inquiries or that he benefited illegally from his £7.5 million deal.
However, investigators are making wide-ranging inquiries into Juventus's transfer dealings to see if illegal payments were made to club staff.
Van der Sar's agent, Rob Jansen, said last night that he was not aware that the goalkeeper was required in Turin. Jansen said: 'The Italian prosecutors have interviewed everyone involved in a transfer with Juventus. That's natural - it's part of their investigation. Edwin has already spoken to them by telephone.'
Lawyers for Fulham owner Mohamed al Fayed have held several meetings with Palazzi and, at the prosecutor's request, have passed a dossier of evidence to him.
Italian investigators are also looking at the transfers of several other players from Serie A clubs to the Premier League in recent seasons.
In addition to United, they are expected to speak to players from at least two other Premiership clubs in the next few months. Central to Palazzi's inquiries is the relationship between Juventus vice-president Roberto Bettega and former France World Cup star Jean Tigana, who was Fulham manager at the time.
According to evidence given in the High Court two years ago when Tigana won a breach-of-contract action against Fulham, his deputy, Christian Damiano, who knew Bettega, had introduced the two men.
Fulham chairman Fayed claimed in court that the fee was deliberately increased so the extra amount could be divided among some of the parties to the deal. However, the Judge dismissed the claims and ruled in Tigana's favour.
The former Craven Cottage boss is also linked to the two French inquiries. Tigana originally represented Saha but had to give up his agent's licence to become Fulham manager in 2000, handing over his business to long-time associate Bettoni. Soon afterwards, Saha joined Fulham, with Stojic and Bettoni conducting the negotiations.
Evening Standard
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What the heck??
What will be the result of this??
Why doesn't this Palazzi do something useful in his life and commit suicide??
In the wake of Lord Stevens's announcement last week that 39 transfers are being investigated for possible irregularities by the Premier League's own inquiry into corrupt payments, at least three judicial probes across Europe are targeting English clubs for details of transfers.
And the Italian fraud squad, responsible for the inquiries that saw Juventus relegated to Serie B this season, are turning their attention to Premiership clubs as they investigate transfers between English and Italian clubs.
Italian prosecutor Stefano Palazzi has asked to see Van der Sar about what he knows of events surrounding his 2001 transfer from Juventus to Fulham. Although the Holland star is cooperating, United's fixture schedule has so far prevented him from flying to Turin for the interview.
There is no suggestion that Van der Sar is involved in Italian match-fixing inquiries or that he benefited illegally from his £7.5 million deal.
However, investigators are making wide-ranging inquiries into Juventus's transfer dealings to see if illegal payments were made to club staff.
Van der Sar's agent, Rob Jansen, said last night that he was not aware that the goalkeeper was required in Turin. Jansen said: 'The Italian prosecutors have interviewed everyone involved in a transfer with Juventus. That's natural - it's part of their investigation. Edwin has already spoken to them by telephone.'
Lawyers for Fulham owner Mohamed al Fayed have held several meetings with Palazzi and, at the prosecutor's request, have passed a dossier of evidence to him.
Italian investigators are also looking at the transfers of several other players from Serie A clubs to the Premier League in recent seasons.
In addition to United, they are expected to speak to players from at least two other Premiership clubs in the next few months. Central to Palazzi's inquiries is the relationship between Juventus vice-president Roberto Bettega and former France World Cup star Jean Tigana, who was Fulham manager at the time.
According to evidence given in the High Court two years ago when Tigana won a breach-of-contract action against Fulham, his deputy, Christian Damiano, who knew Bettega, had introduced the two men.
Fulham chairman Fayed claimed in court that the fee was deliberately increased so the extra amount could be divided among some of the parties to the deal. However, the Judge dismissed the claims and ruled in Tigana's favour.
The former Craven Cottage boss is also linked to the two French inquiries. Tigana originally represented Saha but had to give up his agent's licence to become Fulham manager in 2000, handing over his business to long-time associate Bettoni. Soon afterwards, Saha joined Fulham, with Stojic and Bettoni conducting the negotiations.
Evening Standard
------------------------------------------------------------------
What the heck??
What will be the result of this??
Why doesn't this Palazzi do something useful in his life and commit suicide??
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& if he was involved, this could be bad for Juve. IMO, I don't think Juve has deliberately done any dodgy dealings, but I would not put it past al fayed & if he has, he will drag Juve into the mire along with him. 
