© EuroFootball.com
Former chief commissioner of the London police, Lord Stevens, will lead a commission investigating possible fraud cases among "Premier League" players in the market. Lord Stevens will lead an independent commission for six months and will meticulously examine all questionable deals made by players in the market since January 1, 2004.
"I will personally lead this investigation and ensure that all evidence is collected at the highest level," explained Lord Stevens. "It is our duty to question participants in the player market and investigate questionable agreements. In the near future, we will compile a list of transactions that will be carefully reviewed. I understand that there have been concerning reports in the media lately and I would be very grateful if the authors of those articles would share any evidence or allegations. Like in any serious investigation, I will rely only on verified evidence. I can assure the Premier League management and players that the commission will work publicly and all violations will be disclosed to the public."
The Premier League management confirmed that strict punishments await those who have committed infractions. "We adhere to all approved rules, so if violations are revealed, we will take action," said Richard Scudamore. "This is a very serious investigation. Most Premier League clubs and players want to know what is currently happening in the player market. This commission will help clarify that."
Lord Stevens served in the police for 43 years and retired in January 2005. In 1997, he investigated the circumstances of Princess Diana's death. In 2000, Lord Stevens began leading the London police - significantly increasing the number of police officers, and during his leadership, street robberies and crimes drastically decreased.
