The FA have banned the agent and agency that previously represented England star Raheem Sterling.
Sterling cut ties with Adrian Ward, and Colossal Sports Management, in September 2020. Ward had previously overseen the winger's £49million move from Liverpool to Manchester City in 2015, with Sterling going on to enjoy a trophy laden spell with his new club before moving to Chelsea at the end of last season.
In March 2021, Ward became the subject of an investigation from the FA over allegations he paid the parent of an England youth talent £10,000 in exchange for him joining his agency prior to the age of 16. Both the agent and agency denied making the payment, but were charged 13 months later.
And on Friday, the FA confirmed that neither Ward, or his company, were permitted to work: "Adrian Ward and Colossal Sports Management Ltd have both been suspended from all intermediary activity up to and including 3 December 2024, and also warned about their future conduct," read a statement.
"It was alleged that Adrian Ward had directly or indirectly made an approach to a minor on behalf of Colossal Sports Management Ltd at various points between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019. Adrian Ward was charged with misconduct in relation to FA Rule E1(b), and Colossal Sports Management Ltd was charged with misconduct in relation to various breaches of FA Rule E1(b) and regulation B8 and B8(i), but they were all denied.
"An independent regulatory commission found all of the charges to be proven and imposed these sanctions, and its written reasons for these decisions will be published in due course. Adrian Ward and Colossal Sports Management Ltd have both subsequently lodged an appeal."
The authority also pledged to take similar action in future cases: "The FA takes the protection of minors seriously and will continue to enforce its regulations in respect of any such misconduct by participants," they concluded.
The player at the centre of the allegations has not been named publicly, but was reportedly at a Premier League club at the time of the alleged approach. He has since moved to play elsewhere in Europe.
Speaking to the Telegraph after the initial investigation began, Ward remained defiant: "If they [the FA] have done their job thoroughly they will realise they have wasted their time," he said. "If they just ask me the questions straight I would ask: what is their source of information? Where did it come from? Who did it come from? Why did he only get it now? They got it from a disgruntled person."
