Arnesen Winds Up Spurs In Tap Row

By John Cross And Martin Lipton
Taken from the Daily Mirror Sport

Frank Arnesen has hinted Tottenham were never interested in reporting Chelsea to the Premier League - because they wanted to take a pay-off.

Dane Arnesen, who is at the centre of a bitter tug-of-war between the two clubs, revealed Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has put a gagging order on him until Chelsea agree to settle. Arnesen said:

"Mr Levy told me not to discuss anything with anybody for as long as Tottenham are negotiating for my departure.''

Spurs will be infuriated by suggestions from Arnesen that they wanted to drive a hard bargain rather than report their tapping-up allegations, which could result in Chelsea being docked points or suffer a heavy fine.

Levy has demanded up to £10million in compensation for the loss of their sporting director while Chelsea have offered only £2m - with a proposed deal involving Scott Parker collapsing after his move to Newcastle.