Football Dynasty-Chapter 67: The Hearing

The 1992/1993 season is over.

Manchester United have been confirmed as the league champions of England for the first time in 26 years.

The brilliant young winger Ryan Giggs was named PFA Young Player of the Year for the second year in a row, while Alex Ferguson received the Manager of the Year award.

Teddy Sheringham finished as the league's top scorer with 22 goals for Tottenham Hotspur, followed closely by Les Ferdinand of Queens Park Rangers, who scored 20 goals.

Arsenal became the first team to win both the FA Cup and the League Cup in the same season, defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 in both finals. Ian Wright was the key player in Arsenal's triumph, proving his status as one of the most fearsome strikers in English football.

In European competitions, Marseille claimed their first European Cup title with a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the final, held at the Olympiastadion in Munich.

Parma secured their first European trophy, defeating Royal Antwerp 3-1 in the Cup Winners' Cup final at Wembley Stadium in London.

Juventus triumphed in the UEFA Cup, dominating Borussia Dortmund with a 6-1 aggregate victory in the two-legged final.

Beyond the club competitions, UEFA officially awarded England the hosting rights for the 1996 European Football Championship, marking the nation's first major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Richard was noticeably absent for the first time from his usual roller-coaster ride of high-stakes football betting. Unlike previous tournaments, where he was always a visible presence, he was nowhere to be seen during UEFA Euro 1992.

Well, of course, after receiving the "warm" invitation from the FA, he didn't even bother to handle City's affairs.

He only conducted a brief investigation into the club's latest developments, discovering that Swales had sold his shares, City had been relegated this season, and, more importantly... the FA had approved the transfer of three of his players while completely bypassing his role as an agent.

It was already nine o'clock in the morning, yet outside the car window, the world remained dark as if it were still night. The glare of oncoming headlights cut through the gloom, sharp and dazzling.

Rain hammered against the car windows in a steady rhythm, the pitter-patter blending with the hum of the engine.

The windshield wipers hesitated for a moment before sweeping across the glass again, fighting a losing battle against the relentless downpour that blurred Richard's view of the road.

"Rain again," Richard muttered, glancing outside as he gripped the wheel of his Porsche.

He missed Cannes' palm trees, bikinis, golden sunshine, and white sandy beaches—things he would never find in England.

What did England's beaches have to offer? Muddy shores, biting winds, towering waves, strange rock formations, and unlicensed shellfish pickers. Not exactly paradise.

The midnight blue Porsche sliced through the wet motorway, leaving behind the rolling hills and countryside. Four hours after setting off from Manchester, Richard finally arrived in London—one of the world's greatest cities.

Why Manchester and not London?

Because before the hearing even began, Lee Sharpe had already reached out, inquiring about a contract extension with Manchester United. This would be Richard's first time meeting the legendary Alex Ferguson—before he earned the title of "Sir."

Instead of heading straight to 25 Soho Square, where the Football Association's offices were located, Richard made a detour. First, he needed coffee. Also, the barrister was already waiting for him at the same café.

Nick De Marco, 25 years old, was still an anonymous barrister at Blackstone Chambers. He wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses, had neatly combed hair, and was dressed in a beige coat. Sitting upright in the café, his black briefcase rested neatly at his side.

When his client approached, he stood up and greeted him with the refined manners of a gentleman.

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"Good morning, sir."

Though he was just a small-time barrister at the moment, he carried himself with a quiet dignity. Even the simple act of extending his hand exuded confidence. In many countries, lawyers were regarded as part of the upper echelons of society, but this was especially true in Britain—a nation deeply rooted in tradition and formality.

"Good morning to you as well. Adam said you're only here to collect information, not to represent me? So I'm alone now?"

"Haha, you jest, sir. I have not yet been called to the Bar—I'm still learning. But don't worry, I can assist and support you from behind the scenes. I've already read through the case files. Please go through these before the hearing."

He handed several documents to Richard before beginning his introductory case. "Mr. Richard—"

"Richard is fine. Can I call you Nick as well?" Richard cut in, asking first.

"Uh, then I guess that's fine," Nick coughed before continuing. "So, as you know from the fax you sent us, this is about your role as an agent, but also as one of the largest shareholders at Manchester City."

He paused briefly, adjusting his glasses before scanning the documents in front of him. "The situation is quite complex because it involves both regulatory conflicts and potential conflicts of interest under FA regulations and the new Premier League framework. Your dual role raises concerns—especially with Manchester City also in the picture."

Nick looked up at Richard. "Before we proceed, I need to clarify—how exactly do you intend to position yourself in this hearing?"

Richard tapped the table, thinking for a moment before voicing his thoughts. "Is there a possibility that I'll have to give up either one—or even both?"

Nick exhaled, choosing his words carefully. "That depends on your stance. From what I see, it's controversial, but not necessarily illegal under the current rules. However, we need to be strategic in how we approach this."

He leaned forward slightly. "Here's what you should and shouldn't say in the hearing."

What to Emphasize:

No Clear Ban – As of now, the FA and Premier League do not explicitly prohibit a club shareholder from also being a licensed agent.

Separation of Roles – You should highlight that your role as an agent is independent and does not interfere with Manchester City's operations.

Precedents & Industry Norms – Other club officials have engaged in negotiations and player dealings before. If we show that your situation is not unprecedented, it weakens their case against you.

What to Avoid:

Directly Acknowledging a Conflict of Interest – If they argue that your position at City gives you an unfair advantage in transfer dealings, avoid agreeing outright.

Mentioning Influence Over Transfers – If they ask whether you used your position to sway player movements in City's favor, keep your response neutral. Say you always operate within the rules and act in the best interests of your clients.

Future Plans – Do not make any commitments about stepping down or changing your role unless absolutely necessary. We keep our options open.

Richard nodded in understanding. "So this is about gauging how aggressively the FA and Premier League want to pursue this matter?"

Nick nodded. "We need to understand their true intentions. If they see you as a threat, they might push for stronger action. But if there's an agenda behind it..." He trailed off for a moment before adding, "At the very least, we'll have some room to maneuver."

By the time Nick had finished explaining, Richard already knew what he had to do.

"I know what I'm going to do," he said, finishing his coffee in one gulp as if it were water. Then, without hesitation, he stood up and walked out, with Nick De Marco following closely behind.

The two men left the café. It was already noon. They were now driving to the headquarters of the Football Association in Soho Square.

Richard had never been to the English Football Association before, so when he stepped out of his car, he looked around curiously.

A small plot of land was lined with London plane trees. Unlike the modern Wembley-based offices, the Soho Square location was relatively modest for an organization overseeing English football.

The building was almost identical to many in Islington that he had sold before—a traditional Georgian-style office. It was not a grand or imposing structure but rather a low-rise brick building, typical of central London's historical business districts.

"It was always in the center of London," Richard thought, "on the north bank of the River Thames and just south of Oxford Street, a famous shopping destination."

"The English Football Association," Nick began, then turned to Richard. "Is this your first time here?"

Richard nodded, prompting Nick to continue his introduction with a professional air.

"The FA is the governing body of English football. It was founded in 1863 when eleven clubs met on Fleet Street to establish a unified set of rules. As the oldest football association in history, it predates both UEFA and FIFA and has overseen the game's evolution for over a century."

Richard smirked. "And yet, all I can smell is something rotten."

Nick glanced at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Great minds think alike."

The three men had just set foot in the Football Association headquarters when a professionally dressed woman approached them. She saw them enter and asked, "Mr. Maddox?"

Richard stepped forward. "I am Richard."

"We have been expecting you. How do you do?" The woman smiled and extended her hand. "Please follow me."

Richard followed her to the hearing room. He had never imagined what an English Football Association hearing would be like or whether it would resemble the courtrooms he had seen on television. But when the woman opened the door for him, he realized it was simply a slightly larger meeting room.

"Please enter, Mr. Maddox."

The man who rose to greet him looked vaguely familiar.

It was Graham Kelly, the Chief Executive of the English Football Association.

The problem was...

"Mr. Maddox, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lennart Johansson, from UEFA's Legal & Disciplinary Committee."

Richard frowned, and so did Nick.

After everyone was seated and the formalities were exchanged, the hearing began.

FA Chief Graham Kelly cleared his throat. "Mr. Maddox, thank you for appearing before us today. As you are aware, concerns have been raised regarding your dual role as both the owner of Manchester City and a registered football agent."

Richard nodded slightly. "I understand, sir. I'm here to clarify any misunderstandings."

From that moment, the atmosphere grew more formal.

"Mr. Johansson, please." Kelly gestured, making Richard frown even more.

Lennart Johansson from UEFA's Legal & Disciplinary Committee leaned forward. "The issue at hand is a conflict of interest. You represent players as an agent while simultaneously running a club that competes at the highest level. This raises questions of fairness, influence, and transparency."

Richard leaned forward as well. "With all due respect, I've operated within the regulations of the time. My priority has always been the integrity of the sport. I ensure that any negotiations I handle are conducted fairly and with full disclosure."

Kelly wasn't convinced. "But how can we be certain? A club owner with access to insider knowledge of contracts and player values could manipulate transfers in ways that undermine fair competition."

Richard kept his voice steady. "Sir, I have never used my position to gain an unfair advantage. I am fully aware of my responsibilities, which is why I have never operated under an agency entity—I handle all negotiations personally. The deals I facilitate benefit the players, the clubs, and the sport as a whole. There is no connection between my personal dealings and Manchester City regarding my clients."

Kelly narrowed his eyes. "And yet, reports suggest otherwise. We have documents showing that you facilitated player transfers where both the buying and selling parties had dealings with you. That suggests a clear conflict."

As he finished speaking, Kelly made a motion toward the woman who had escorted Richard earlier. She walked over and handed Richard a stack of documents.

The moment Richard glanced at them, he took a deep breath.

They contained detailed contracts regarding Chris Armstrong, Rob Jones, and Graeme Le Saux.

A flicker of irritation crossed Richard's face. Everything became instantly clear to him. He glanced at the copied contracts—if they were here, it meant that someone inside Manchester City had allowed the FA to investigate... or worse, they were the ones who had actually instigated it.

Richard exhaled. "I assure you, every transaction has adhered to the sport's ethical standards. If UEFA believes changes are necessary, I am open to discussions about adjustments. However, at no point have I breached the spirit of the game."

Kelly and Johansson smirked at Richard's response, exchanging a glance that dripped with condescension.

Johansson rose from his seat. "Mr. Maddox, it must be nice to decide for yourself what does and doesn't breach football's integrity."

Kelly shook his head. "Players moving between clubs, deals negotiated behind closed doors—without the oversight of the very regulations designed to ensure fairness." He tapped his fingers on the table before continuing. "Mr. Maddox, given your breach of integrity rules, we have no choice but to freeze your shares and suspend your status as an agent until further notice."

The verdict was given.

After leaving the FA building, Richard didn't head straight home, nor did he say much, which made Nick anxious.

He parked his car by the banks of the Thames and stood at the railing. He exhaled slowly, staring at the dark waters. The city lights shimmered in the reflection, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Nick, what's the probability of us winning if we fight in UK court?"

Nick thought for a moment before answering honestly. "The FA operates under the Royal Charter, giving it significant autonomy over football governance in England. UK courts tend to defer to sports governing bodies unless there's clear evidence of illegality or procedural unfairness. Even if we argue that they bypassed your rights as a shareholder and an agent, they'll claim they acted within their regulatory powers."

The answer wasn't encouraging. The FA and UEFA had effectively cut him out of the business. If he fought them in UK courts, the case would likely get bogged down in procedural delays, and even if he won, the FA could appeal internally.

"What if I take this to the European Court of Justice? How much is the probability of winning?"

"Like what Bosman did?"

Richard only nodded.

Nick was taken aback at first, but after thinking for a moment, he began to see the feasibility. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he turned toward Richard.

"So you deliberately didn't bring up the fact that they bypassed your agent constitution? So that you can sue them directly at the ECJ, isn't it? You planned this from the beginning!"

Richard smiled but did not answer, letting Nick do the calculations.

"We can argue that UEFA and the FA are violating EU competition law. Article 101 prohibits agreements that distort competition, and Article 102 bans the abuse of a dominant market position. If we prove their collusion to freeze you out unfairly, it becomes an antitrust issue under EU jurisdiction. But I must remind you, this also gives them a chance to restructure the system, which means you might lose one of your assets in the process."

Richard only nodded. "I know."

Nick grinned. "Heh, this is good. They already lost against Bosman, and now, if your case is added to the mix... hehehe, it'll hit them where it hurts the most."

Richard turned back to his car. "Then it's settled. We fight this in Brussels"