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Last Updated: Friday, 17 March 2006, 16:11 GMT
Stretford fails in FA court bid
England striker Wayne Rooney (left) and his agent Paul Stretford
Stretford (right) may appeal against the decision
Leading agent Paul Stretford has failed in his bid to answer Football Association charges in a public court.

Stretford, of Proactive Sports Management, was charged over alleged breaches of regulations in June.

They included his acquisition of the right to represent Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.

He wanted the charges heard in court rather than through the FA procedure, challenging the usual disciplinary system, and he may yet appeal.

Although the FA will publish the results of the disciplinary proceedings, Stretford is still considering an appeal.

Stretford said: "The charges brought against me by the FA are without foundation and are damaging to my reputation and to the Proactive business.

"I think it is indicative of the FA's stance in pursuing this case against me that they are not prepared to allow me to defend the charges publicly."

Two of the charges Stretford faces - which related to evidence provided at Warrington Crown Court in 2004 - were suspended following a case involving Sir Roy Meadow, a paediatrician who gave flawed evidence on sudden infant death.

The ruling effectively stated expert witnesses who give evidence to courts were immune from disciplinary action so they are not deterred from coming forward.

A statement from Proactive read: "The decision is a disappointment to Paul Stretford and his legal team, who believe that it is in the interests of justice that the charges, which have been publicly made against him, should be heard in the public forum of open court."


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