MTK Global - the boxing management company linked to crime boss Daniel Kinahan - has made a move into football.
The company was co-founded by Kinahan under the name MGM (Macklins Gym Marbella) in 2012 but claims to have cut ties with the Dubliner since 2017.
A statement posted today on the MTK website read: "MTK Global is delighted to announce the launch of MTK Football – a football agency headed up by highly-respected Danny Vincent.
"Having already conquered the world of combat sports and becoming the biggest force in the business of boxing, MTK will now turn their attention to football, as they look to give players in the sport the chances that they deserve."
While MTK chiefs now say they are distanced from the alleged mobster, Kinahan recently announced that he will continue to broker big fights in the sport.
British heavyweight boxing star Tyson Fury caused controversy when he thanked Kinahan for helping to organise an anticipated bout against fellow world heavyweight title holder Anthony Joshua.
BBC’s Panorama recently aired a documentary – Boxing and the Mob – detailing Kinahan’s links to the boxing world as well as his alleged association with crime and murder.
Kinahan - who has no criminal convictions but was named in The High Court in Dublin as head of a crime cartel - insists he has no involvement in crime.
He responded to the Panorama programme with a lengthy statement played on TalkSPORT radio, saying: “I am not a part of a criminal gang or any conspiracy. I have no convictions. None, Not just in Ireland but anywhere in the world.
“I am proud to say today that I have helped organise over a dozen major world title fights.
“I continue to be involved in planning multiple record-breaking and exciting world title fights.
“I’m doing all I can to give fight fans around the world the fights they want."
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar recently said the Dubliner, or anyone with links to gangs, should have no role in professional sport.
He added: “It’s a shame to see those elements involved in sports.
“I hope ultimately that will be a matter for the courts.”
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