LONDON (AP) - Manchester United tried to insert a clause in the transfer of Tim Howard to Everton to prevent the American goalkeeper from playing in a Premier League match between the two clubs.
British media reported Friday that the clause was removed after Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore spent 10 days discussing the issue with Manchester United counterpart Richard Gill. The clause would have been against Premier League rules on third-party influence.
Howard joined Everton on a yearlong loan deal from United in the offseason and it was made permanent in February. Under the loan deal, Howard could not play for Everton against United, but such arrangements no longer apply when a loan deal is made permanent.
However, the Guardian and The Times newspapers reported that a spoken agreement existed between the clubs that Howard wouldn't play when Everton took on Man United on April 28.
Everton instead played second-choice goalkeeper Iain Turner and United rallied to win 4-2.
Both clubs were cleared of wrongdoing last Sunday by the Premier League.
The issue of third-party agreements in player transfers has been under the spotlight since West Ham was fined 5.5 million pounds (US$11 million; €8 million) on April 27 for breaking Premier League rules over the transfers of Argentina internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano
British media reported Friday that the clause was removed after Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore spent 10 days discussing the issue with Manchester United counterpart Richard Gill. The clause would have been against Premier League rules on third-party influence.
Howard joined Everton on a yearlong loan deal from United in the offseason and it was made permanent in February. Under the loan deal, Howard could not play for Everton against United, but such arrangements no longer apply when a loan deal is made permanent.
However, the Guardian and The Times newspapers reported that a spoken agreement existed between the clubs that Howard wouldn't play when Everton took on Man United on April 28.
Everton instead played second-choice goalkeeper Iain Turner and United rallied to win 4-2.
Both clubs were cleared of wrongdoing last Sunday by the Premier League.
The issue of third-party agreements in player transfers has been under the spotlight since West Ham was fined 5.5 million pounds (US$11 million; €8 million) on April 27 for breaking Premier League rules over the transfers of Argentina internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano
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