Bakayoko transfer 'totally legitimate', say Everton
Everton have denied any wrongdoing in the transfer of their former striker Ibrahima Bakayoko to Marseille in July 1999.
According to the Daily Express, the Merseyside outfit were named in a French court case as one of four Premiership clubs who allegedly ‘circumvented the rules’ with regards to transfers.
Goodison director of communication Ian Ross said: “In keeping with all transfers involving Everton, and that includes Ibrahima Bakayoko, they are above board, transparent and totally legitimate.”
Football has come under the spotlight again following reports BBC Panorama investigators duped agents and other top officials into discussing the payment of illegal bungs.
Former Everton striker Mike Newell, now manager of Luton, shocked the game in January when he revealed he had been offered bungs by agents – and his comments led to the beginning of former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord John Stevens’ inquiry into murky dealings within the sport.
The results of Lord Stevens’ investigation will be revealed at a meeting of the Barclays Premiership chairmen on October 2.
