No FA action over Stam 'approach'

Jaap Stam was signed from PSV Eindhoven for £10.75m

The Football Association will not be taking any action against Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson over an alleged "illegal approach" for defender Jaap Stam.

Stam claimed in his autobiography that Ferguson had made an "unofficial approach" for him prior to his £10.75m move from PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutch international revealed how Ferguson arranged a secret meeting in an apartment close to Amsterdam's airport to tempt him away from Holland.

But FA spokesman Paul Newman said the organisation had no jurisdiction to launch an inquiry into the matter.

"This is a matter which has to be dealt with under Fifa regulations and not by the FA as Fifa have jurisdiction over international transfers," he said.

"It is up to the Dutch FA to raise the issue with Fifa on behalf of the club if they feel it is appropriate."

Premier League rules state that clubs must not approach a player without previously making contact with the selling club.

"If there was a direct complaint to us, the matter would be investigated, but that has not happened," said a Premier League spokesperson.

PSV Eindhoven have already said they will not be taking the matter any further.

Secret meeting

Stam revealed details of the transfer in his autobiography being serialised in the Mirror.

"We had to keep everything under wraps, so the club (PSV) didn't find out about the unofficial approach," Stam claimed.

We didn't want to go to a hotel in case there was even the remotest chance somebody might see us

  Stam's agent Tom van Dalen

Stam's agent Tom van Dalen arranged the meeting and was the only other person present.

"Ferguson was on holiday in France with his wife at the time, and on the flight back to Manchester he stopped by in Amsterdam to meet with us," said van Dalen.

"I had arranged the meeting in an apartment near the airport because we didn't want to go to a hotel in case there was even the remotest chance somebody might see us."

Stam said: "We spent most of our 30 minutes just talking about what my plans were and how he'd like me to come to Old Trafford.

"There was no discussion about positional play, contracts or money. I guess he just wanted to meet me and see what kind of guy I was.

"He strode into the room, full of confidence and smiling broadly.

"'Jaap, I want you to play for Manchester United,' said Ferguson. 'I want you to command our back line and help us to win the Champions' League'."

Stam arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 1998 and went on to become a key figure in the United line-up which won the Treble of Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup.