Liverpool Stay Silent Amidsts Investigation, Possible Transfer Ban For ‘Tapping Up’ Stoke City 12-Year-Old Boy

Liverpool have not yet commented on allegations they could face a fine and potentially a transfer ban on academy players if they are found guilty of “tapping up” a 12-year-old schoolboy from Stoke City.

Liverpool Faces Possible Fine, Transfer Ban Over Inducement of Stoke City Boy

The Anfield club is one of several being investigated for poaching young talent as the Premier League attempts to pass new rules on academy transfers. Liverpool stand accused of offering a forbidden inducement to the boy, and also allegedly reneged on a deal to pay the youngster’s school fees, leaving his parents in thousands of pounds of debt.

Stoke had been paying the fees until the player, who has been deemed a rising star, accepted an offer to join Liverpool with an inducement that the Anfield-based team would pay for his education until he turned 16.

The boy cannot sign with another team until Stoke receive a compensation fee of £49,000 ($61,380) from Liverpool. Meanwhile, the minor’s parents have been paying the school fees, which reportedly amount to several thousand pounds.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have been hit with transfer bans in recent years.

The Premier League is also, ironically, investigating a complaint from Liverpool regarding the departure of one of their academy players to Manchester City.

Under the league’s new rules, parents and clubs must now sign a declaration that no inducements have been offered as part of a transfer.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool in action during the EFL Cup Semi-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on January 25, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)