Aidy Ward, the former agent of Raheem Sterling, has been hit with a ban and warned about his future conduct.
Ward was charged with misconduct in relation to FA Rule E1(b), and his agency Colossal Sports Management Ltd was charged with misconduct in relation to various breaches of FA Rule E1(b) and Regulation B8 and B8(i).
It was alleged that Ward had directly or indirectly made an approach to a minor on behalf of Colossal Sports Management Ltd, at various points between January 2019 and the end of December 2019.
READ MORE: Liverpool's next sporting director: what club are looking for to replace Julian Ward
READ MORE: Liverpool have ideal midfield signing who is loved by Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard
All charges were denied - but an independent regulatory commission found all of the charges to be proven. Ward and Colossal Sports Management have been suspended from all intermediary activity up to and including 03 December 2024. An appeal has been lodged by both Ward and the agency.
Ward, who has recently been representing Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain through his firm Colossal Sports Management, was formerly the agent of ex-Reds player Sterling who left the club for Manchester City in 2015.
An FA statement, released today, confirmed the decision and said: "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."
The statement also said: "The FA takes the protection of minors seriously and will continue to enforce its regulations in respect of any such misconduct by participants."
In 2021, allegations that Ward had broken FA rules in relation to under-age players emerged. They were followed up in a BBC investigation, 'Football's Broken Dreams', which was shown later that year.
Ward became Raheem Sterling's agent when the winger was 16 and facilitated his unpopular move from Liverpool to Manchester City in 2015.
There is no suggestion of any improper conduct in relation to Oxlade-Chamberlain, or Sterling.
READ NEXT:
Liverpool already have the perfect partner for Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield
Darwin Nunez future unclear but pre-season plan will provide clue for forward
How Liverpool could line up with four dream signings this summer
Liverpool's final Premier League finish predicted amid top-four chase
Chelsea sent blunt 'silly money' Mason Mount transfer message amid Liverpool links
