Arsenal charged over Calum Chambers deal

Calum Chambers

London: Arsenal have been charged for an alleged breach of football agents regulations over the signing of Calum Chambers from Southampton, the Football Association announced on Friday. The north Londoners signed England defender Chambers for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £16 million ($24 million) last year.


Calum Chambers

Agent Alan Middleton has also been charged for allegedly breaching the same regulations over the Chambers transfer. "Arsenal have been charged for allegedly breaching The FA's Football Agents Regulations," the FA statement read. "The charge is in relation to the transfer of Calum Chambers from Southampton to Arsenal on 26 July 2014.

"Authorised agent Alan Middleton has also been charged for allegedly breaching The FA's Football Agents Regulations in relation to the same transfer. "Mr Middleton has until 17 June 2015 to respond to the charge. "Arsenal have until 26 June 2015 after they requested more time to respond to the charge."

Chambers is on the books of Cassius Sports Management, whose head of talent ID and recruitment is his stepfather Steve Moss. He made 36 appearances for Arsenal last season as the Gunners finished third in the Premier League and won the FA Cup. It is understood there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Chambers, while Arsenal issued a statement emphasising their innocence.

"We have acted in good faith throughout with regard to this transfer," the statement read. "We are considering our position and will make appropriate representations to the FA." Reports the transfer was being investigated by the FA following a complaint from a third party first surfaced in February.

At the time, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger played down any concerns. "I am very happy about his transfer. I made over 350 transfers since I am here. We have a lot of enquiries about them and we never had any problem," Wenger said.