London City Lionesses will face a fine after an FA rule breach found by an independent regulatory commission.
The newly promoted WSL club allegedly approached a player from WSL 2 club Southampton, with intentions to inducing them to leave the club without prior written permission.
After admitting to the charge without asking for a personal hearing, they will face a £15,000 fine.
A document published on the FA website outlined the timeline of events.
- On 31 July 2024, the London City Lionesses’ managing director (“MD”) messaged the Southampton player on social media to inform them of their new role at the club, which she was due to start the next day.
- The MD asked player’s agent’s details, to which they responded and provided the details.
- On 5 August 2024, the Club’s Recruitment Manager (“RM”) called SFC Women’s Head Coach (“WHC”) to discuss the Club’s interest in the Player.
- RM is said to have informed WHC that although offers for the Player had been turned down, SFC was ‘open to conversations’.
- WHC stated it would probably not be her decision to make and noted WHC would not want to sell to the Club given they were direct competition.
- On 6 August 2024, RM called the player’s agent, who confirmed the release clause in the player’s contract (blurred out.)
- On the same day, RM emailed SFC’s Director of Women’s Football. The RM said:
“Hi I hope preseason is going well.
I write to let you know that we would like to engage with Southampton over the transfer of registration to London City lionesses.
I am aware that there is a very large number associated with the permanent transfer of her registration. We are not able to pay that number but would welcome the opportunity to work with you on getting to a place where we are all happy with to make a deal happen.
Please let me know your thoughts.”
- DWF responded on 9 August 2024 at 17:37. She said:
“Thank you for your enquiry regarding. We won’t be engaging in conversations with you regarding a transfer.
We have received interest regarding from a number of clubs this window and some are prepared to meet the release fee.”
- However, prior to RM receiving the email response to DWF, MD had already contacted the player on social media.
- At 14:42 on 9 August 2024, MD messaged the Player:
“Hiya – just so you know, we’ve made the approach and have spoken to and they are open to sell … there’s the question of the fee, but what would your salary expectations be?
Obviously I would love to make this happen!!”
The document confirmed that because London City Lionesses co-operated fully with the investigation, mitigating factors were noted in the decision to impose a fine.
However the club will also be ordered to cover the full costs of the commission.
Featured image courtesy of James Boyes via Flickr. No changes made to image. License details found here.