07 Jun 2017 20:34:11
I wasn't even sold on vvd, now I'm gutted we have done what we have. All these reports of we have agreed terms but not a fee. Question though, Could legal action still be taken?

{Ed025's Note - possible but unlikely i would say fencey..

1.) 07 Jun 2017
07 Jun 2017 21:31:02
If the EPL have accepted Liverpool's apology then that will be it.

Southampton not going to bother with us now when they have won the battle hands down. Doubt they will allow us to sign players from them again i. e. Fulham/ Dempsey.

Other clubs will be looking at this situation with eyes wide open.

At this point I am expecting a disappointing summer. Clubs not going to bother with our haggling anymore. We have shown our true colours now.

{Ed025's Note - come on max you know better than that mate..

2.) 07 Jun 2017
07 Jun 2017 21:43:28
The fact we've apologised, I think has stopped the PL from taking it further!

3.) 08 Jun 2017
07 Jun 2017 23:36:28
Eds, and please don't shoot me down as i am not making excuses, i just don't understand the severity of all this tapping stuff.

Listening to Steve Nicol today, and i am not saying he is right, and yes the rules are different now. but he was almost suggesting its all a big fuss over nothing and that if agents were not around clubs would and actually do this all the time.

{Ed002's Note - It is a very serious matter. Would you not consider it an issue if Liverpool were banned from signing first team players for a year or two? They are already dealing with one transfer ban, a damaged reputation and clubs who don't want to do business with them - not an issue at all?}

4.) 08 Jun 2017
08 Jun 2017 02:13:28
Ed, why does tapping up law in football exist, when in normal life and normal business, it goes on legally? Just asking, although I think we've been idiots yet again and heads need to roll, as it is law in football.

{Ed001's Note - it is not legal in normal business.}

5.) 08 Jun 2017
08 Jun 2017 06:00:39
Exactly Ed001. I work for a publishing house and under contract am not allowed to speak to another publishing house without permission. If it was done in secret my company would be well miffed with both me and the competitor.

{Ed001's Note - I know a number of people who have been 'tapped up' by other companies with various consequences. It is the same in all walks of life, if you are high enough up the food chain to matter to the company who employs you.}

6.) 08 Jun 2017
08 Jun 2017 13:14:50
Is it down to whether an employee is on a set contract or not, as my wife in the past has been head hunted before a few times, when agents for the new company have contacted her, had the interview and either offered the job or not, without her present (att) company knowing anything about it happening! Do all these head hunters break the law then? Sorry Eds, I know you're all skied under this morning, which I fully appreciate, just wanted to know! I also appreciate it's law in football and if broken, you should take the penalty!

{Ed001's Note - it really depends on the job, as I said it usually comes down to how far up the food chain you are but a head hunter is, in essence, the same as an agent. Clubs/companies can speak to the agent/headhunter, but not the player/employee direct.}

7.) 08 Jun 2017
08 Jun 2017 03:26:50
If English clubs do it all the time, why would only Liverpool get punished though. Other clubs (City was mentioned) did the same things as Liverpool as far as the Stoke youngster goes too. Are Liverpool the only club dumb enough to get caught? I don't get why they're the only ones getting called out on it when it's happening at every club.

{Ed002's Note - English clubs don't "do it all of the time" and Manchester City has also been sanctioned for making an illegal approach to youngsters. Liverpool's behaviour has been terrible for years - far worse than any other club. The embarrassing attempts by some of the fans to deflect this is indeed laughable. In terms of youngsters, what Liverpool did to the kid from from Stoke is certainly the worst ever behaviour I have ever encountered and it should go to court and it should be out in the public domain quite how foul the club is and the damage they have done.}

8.) 09 Jun 2017
09 Jun 2017 13:24:54
These clauses in employment contracts are notoriously difficult to enforce as it can be ruled as being a restriction of trade. I know that I've experienced issues trying to enforce one when an employee has left to go to a competitor. Has a club / player ever tried to challenge it on these grounds?