Premier League side Everton has been fined £500,000 and banned from signing academy players for two years for breaking tapping-up rules.
In 2016, the club made a pursuit of a schoolboy who was playing for Cardiff City and the Toffees have been found guilty of breaking the Premier League rules. The ban will prevent Everton from registering players aged between 10 and 18, who have been registered at another Premier League or EFL club.
"We are extremely disappointed with some of the practices we have found which are not in line with our values and not acceptable to Everton," a statement from the club read.
"We have accepted the penalties imposed on us by the Premier League and have given them our strongest apologies." We have already commenced a full review of our Academy operations and are committed to ensuring that issues like this do not happen again."
Read also: Everton could ditch Cenk Tosun for Godsway Donyoh
The Premier League confirmed Everton launched their own internal inquiry after the allegations and established similar incidents had occurred with six other players. Everton suspended their head of academy recruitment, Martin Waldron, in September and now a decision on his future is likely.
The youngster in question has since moved to Manchester United.
Latest Sports News Ghana