Luton finally charged by FA

On Thursday, the FA finally issued the charges which were expected following ex-Chairman Bill Tomlins' admission that some payments to agents had been paid by Jayten Holdings and not declared to the FA according to their rules.

The shock was that after the club said that there were likely to be a few minor charges, when the FA have levied over 50 charges over the last three years.

The FA's investigation began in March and Bill Tomlins resigned as chairman following the revelations.Www.thefa.com published a statement that the charges relate to the circumstances surrounding a number of player transfers and contract renegotiations.

The club faces 17 charges relating to payments to agents, providing misleading information to the FA and dealing with unlicensed agents.

Former chairman Bill Tomlins faces 15 charges, former finance director Derek Peter 9 charges.

Current directors John Mitchell and Richard Bagehot also face charges for failing to report the alleged rule breaches when they became aware of them.

It is believed that 6 agents also face charges for breaching transfer rules during that period.

One of the agents interviewed by Radio 5 live stated that as far as the agents were concerned, the rule breaches were technical and that no gain was made by the breaches.

Mike Newell, manager at the time the alleged breaches took place, was also interviewwed by the same programme and said that he felt vindicated by the charges being brought and that it was his duty to the fans to bring the matter into the open.

He also said that he had sometimes felt, since then, that it was perhaps not the thing to have done as it ultimately cost him his job but that today he felt glad that he did.

He was reluctant to go into specifics as he said that he has a case against the club and to speak out any furher could jeopardise that.

Luton responded that Mike was dismissed for gross misconduct.

The club also made a very non committal response on their official website:

'Luton Town Football Club wishes to acknowledge the statement made by The Football Association in relation to charges in connection with alleged breaches of rules at Luton Town Football Club during the period from July 2004 to February 2007.

At this point in time the Club has no comment to make on these allegations.

We will be releasing a statement on the official website in due course and until that time, request that members of the media refrain from contacting the Club in relation to an official response.'

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