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Nottingham Post

Sport

Sarah Clapson & David Dubas-Fisher

Eric Lichaj's move from Nottingham Forest to Hull City one of six 'triple representation' deals

Eric Lichaj’s move from Nottingham Forest to Hull City last summer is one of just six deals in the Championship this season which have involved “triple representation”.

That means the same agent represented the player, the buying club and the selling club, with Ian Ryder, of Unique Sports Management, acting for all three parties.

Seven out of every 10 Championship deals - which includes transfers, loans or new contracts - done this term have involved “double representation”, where the same agent or agency represents both the player and the club.

In the Premier League that rises to more than four out of every five transactions.

There were 549 player transactions involving Championship clubs in 2018/19, according to data released by the Football Association. A total of 377 involved double representation, while another six saw triple representation.

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It works out as 70 percent of all Championship deals reported by the FA for this season.

That is actually down from the 80 percent of transactions last term and 78 percent for the 2016/17 campaign.

The use of double representation varies between sides in the second tier.

At Forest, 71 percent of transactions done this season involved double representation.

Rotherham United had the highest percentage, with all seven of their transactions involving double representation.

Blackburn Rovers had the second highest percentage at 93 percent, followed by Stoke (92), Bolton Wanderers and Hull (87).

Leeds striker Patrick Bamford (Getty Images)

Of the other signings in the second tier to involve triple representation, Andreas Weimann’s move to Bristol City saw the agent Robertus Groener act for the player, Bristol City and Derby County.

The Robins signed Jay Dasilva on loan from Chelsea, with the agent Darren Dein acting on behalf of all three parties.

David Manasseh, of Stellar Football, and Russell Bamford are listed as having acted for all three parties in the transfer of former Red Patrick Bamford to Leeds United from Middlesbrough.

Joshua Lloyd Ginnelly’s move to Preston North End from Walsall saw James Featherstone, of OmniSports Ltd, act for all three parties, while the Base Soccer Agency is listed as being an intermediary organisation for Swansea, QPR and Àngel Rangel in the player’s move to west London.

The process of double representation isn’t illegal or against any regulations.

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However, arrangements between clubs, players and agents are under constant scrutiny by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

An HMRC spokesperson said: “HMRC reviews information received from the FA to ensure all payments made to agents during the negotiation of a contract or club transfer are taxed correctly.

“We actively challenge any payments we consider not to be realistic and ask for evidence to prove legitimacy of any arrangement.

“HMRC is successfully tackling tax risks in the football industry, including image rights and agent fees and has brought in £355m in additional revenue from its compliance activities since 2015.

“We carefully scrutinise the individual arrangements between football clubs, players and agents to make sure the correct tax is being paid in the UK. HMRC currently has enquiries into 173 players, 40 clubs and 38 agents.”