Pompey & McKay Hit by FA Charge!

Pompey have been charged by the FA with breaches of rules in relation to Benjani’s moves to and from the club.

The player first signed for Portsmouth during the January Transfer Window of 2006 from French club Auxerre. After spending another two years at the club, Pompey then sold him for an undisclosed fee to rivals Manchester City.

Well known football agent Willie Mckay has also been charged after allegedly representing the selling club in both scenarios.

The FA rules stop agents from acting for two different clubs in two consecutive transactions involving the same player.

The Zimbabwe international joined Pompey for a club-record £4.1 million but struggled to adapt to the Premier League. The Pompey fans never gave up hope for ‘Benji’ and he rewarded them by scoring against Wigan. the game that allowed them to stay up.

Although he established himself by the following season and had become a fan’s favourite, Redknapp sold Benjani to Manchester City to help fund a move for England international Jermain Defoe.

The club instantly responded to the charge with a statement. They denied any wrongdoing and stated that they would contest it.

The statement said, “We did not pay an agent when Benjani joined from Auxerre, and his transfer to Manchester City was approved at the time by the Premier League and the FA’s compliance unit.

“This is nothing more than a technicality which we will strongly contest.”

Pompey have until the 29th August to respond to the charges.