Adrian Ward and Colossal Sports Management Ltd have both been suspended from all Intermediary activity up to and including 03 December 2024, and also warned about their future conduct.
Approaching a player to enter into a representation contract before 01 January in the calendar year of their 16th birthday is contrary to The FA’s Working with Intermediaries Regulations.
It was alleged that Adrian Ward had directly or indirectly made an approach to a minor on behalf of Colossal Sports Management Ltd at various points between 01 January 2019 and 31 December 2019.
Adrian Ward was charged with misconduct in relation to FA Rule E1(b), and Colossal Sports Management Ltd was charged with misconduct in relation to various breaches of FA Rule E1(b) and Regulation B8 and B8(i), but they were all denied.
An independent Regulatory Commission found all of the charges to be proven and imposed these sanctions, and its written reasons for these decisions will be published in due course. Adrian Ward and Colossal Sports Management Ltd have both subsequently lodged an appeal.
The FA takes the protection of minors seriously and will continue to enforce its regulations in respect of any such misconduct by participants.
