Crewe furious that the Reds have watched promising youngster and broken no rules

It appears that Chelsea’s (hilarious) transfer ban has opened the floodgates for smaller sides to make wild accusations at bigger sides about the future of their young talent. Crewe’s Director of Football Dario Gradi has today threatened to make a complaint to the FA against Liverpool, who have been watching 15-year-old midfielder Max Clayton. They haven’t approached him or coerced him into signing a contract by buying his family a pre-fab mansion in Cheshire, they simply sent a scout to watch him. Which is pretty much what all clubs do. If Crewe were a French team, Arsene Wenger would have had at least six scouts watching every youth game.

Terrfied by the prospect of losing Clayton when he turns 16, Gradi said in The Sun:

“There is no excuse for breaking the rules.

“It is so hard to protect your players. All this goes against the morality of the game - it’s the rich robbing the poor.”

Considering the fact that Liverpool have not done anything wrong, they have not commented on Gradi’s claims. If they were to sign him at 16, it is likely that a compensation tribunal would offer Crewe around £250,000.

Beware metaphorical turds in the street, Dr Ferguson…

Well, it’s that time again, when all the big clubs wheel out their school kids, intent on humiliating grown up footballers, like stray dog dirts on stateside streets awaiting Puff Daddy’s sneaker (pictured). Our pals at Chickendinner think it might be a bad night for a certain Baron Alex Ferguson and his people.

Manchester United v Middlesbrough
This is where the shock of the round could take place. United have been knocked out by Southend and Coventry in the early rounds of the last two Carling Cups while Boro won this tournament five seasons back. Just four of the last 13 encounters between these two sides have been won by the hosts.