Zahavi wants Quest report apology

Zahavi has been dubbed a "super agent"

Football agent Pini Zahavi wants an apology from the Premier League after his name was mentioned in Lord Stevens report into transfer irregularities.

Zahavi was cited by investigators Quest for not co-operating with the inquiry.

In a letter to the Premier League, he says the claims are "false, misleading, groundless and legally invalid".

Zahavi's letter has been seen by BBC Sport's sports editor Mihir Bose with the Israeli born-agent reserving his right to take legal action.

It is understood the response of the Premier League and Quest over Zahavi's demand for an apology will determine whether he takes the matter further.

In the key findings of the final Quest report, the head of the investigation unit, Lord Stevens, refused to sign off 17 transfers.

It seems that Quest's misleading publication concerning our client is a wrongful attempt to justify the nomination of Quest by showing some findings against our client where none actually exist Part of Zahavi's letter to the Premier League

The section in the report concerning Zahavi says: "Pinhas Zahavi has failed to co-operate fully with the Inquiry.

"There was an initial failure to disclose his involvement in a number of transfers but, more seriously, he has failed to provide the inquiry with complete bank statements due to the confidential nature of them.

"There has also been a lack of responsiveness by Zahavi.

"There remain questions relating to his relationship with and payments to fellow agent Barry Silkman and Barry Silkman's failure to initially disclose his involvement in all the transactions in which he received fees."

Zahavi's response in the form of the two-page letter was addressed to Premier League chairman Sir David Richards and chief executive Richard Scudamore.

It stated: "Our client holds the name of the Quest employee who briefed the press on a regular basis, slandering our client for no reason.

"This can only be seen as a deliberate attempt to harm our client's reputation.

"It seems that Quest's misleading publication concerning our client is a wrongful attempt to justify the nomination of Quest by showing some findings against our client where none actually exist.

"Due to this publication of misleading findings, our client's reputation was and is still being badly damaged.

"Newspapers around the world are quoting the publication calling for Fifa to investigate 'Mr Zahavi's conduct', whereas his conduct was honourable.

"Therefore we expect a prompt and unambiguous statement by Quest and/or the FA Premier League, which would include an apology for the aforementioned publication and a clarification as to our client's co-operation with the inquiry, in particular his consent to provide relevant bank statements.

"Our client is reserving the right to hold you (Premier League) and Quest responsible for any damages resulting from the groundless and reckless publication."