Birmingham accuse Villa
Birmingham City have accused Aston Villa of tapping up Alex McLeish and will lodge a formal complaint to the relevant authorities on Wednesday.Villa announced earlier on Tuesday night that they were to interview the Scot 'imminently' because they considered him a free agent after he quit Birmingham at the weekend.
But the latter, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have refused to accept McLeish's resignation and acting chairman Peter Pannu has confirmed that lawyers are being consulted amid his claim that £5.4million would be owed.
The League Managers' Association has said that McLeish quit over a lack of consultation regarding transfers and the sacking of his former chief scout at St Andrews.
However, last season's Carling Cup winners, Birmingham, have fiercely denied the statements from both the LMA and bitter rivals Villa, and are planning an official complaint.
A statement on their official website read: "Birmingham City football club finds Aston Villa's announcement today (Tuesday) to proceed with an interview with Alex McLeish a contempt of Premier League and FA rules."The club feel this will taint football and give the game and the footballing authorities a bad name if this is allowed to materialise. The club will do what is within its powers to prevent this and will lodge a formal complaint to the authorities tomorrow as there is now not the slightest doubt remaining about this tap up attempt.
"Birmingham City FC stresses that this conduct, if condoned, will open up flood gates and set a very bad precedent. This is also an attack against the intelligence and integrity of not only the Villa fans, but most importantly our fans who are badly let down after having just been relegated."It is definitely a bitter pil l to swallow for all fans concerned, both here and across the city. Never have the two clubs seen such a strong unity between their rival fans and this unity is based on humility and integrity and what is right and fair.
"The LMA's announcement today is refuted as the club has a very rigid approval system where only players formally identified, and with approval forms signed and sanctioned by the manager personally are brought in. The chief scout was sacked only after Mr. McLeish was informed who at that time had chosen not to comment.
"The allegations against the club, president Carson Yeung and the board are frivolous excuses and without foundation.
"The matter is now with Birmingham City FC's lawyers and no further comments will be made."
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