Leeds Owner Ken Bates Reports Former Club for Illegal “Tapping-up”

For not the first time, Chelsea has been accused of “tapping up” another team’s players, which means its scouts have been making illegal contact with them. Chelsea signed Leeds United youngsters Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo in March, after making what Chairman Ken Bates describes as an illegal approach. “This is a straightforward dispute over the blatant breaching of Football League rules regarding to players which, of course, is consistent with other examples of Chelsea’s illegal approaches to players,” said Bates, who reported the club to the Football Association, Premier League, Football League and FIFA. Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho was fined $350,000 for making illegal contact with Arsenal defender Ashley Cole last year. Bates complained that financial penalties mean nothing to the Sky Blues, whose owner, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, can pay off with ease. “We feel deduction of points, banning of registration of new players and suspension from European competition would be more appropriate.” Bates said that Leeds wants to be compensated for its loss in a manner similar to Manchester United’s recent $30 million settlement with Chelsea for the tapping up of youngster John Obi Mikel. Perhaps there’s a hint of bitterness in the dispute, given Bates’ history at Stamford Bridge. The former Chelsea owner sold the club to Abramovich in 2004; he left his post as Chairman soon thereafter after feeling marginalized by the new regime.