French probe Cisse signing
Oct 5 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
DJIBRIL CISSE'S record breaking transfer to Anfield is under investigation as part of a wide-ranging probe into corruption in French football.
Cisse's former club, Auxerre, was one of eight French clubs visited by investigating officers yesterday.
Magistrates are examining documents relating to the transfer dealings of Richard Bettoni, who is said to have represented Cisse, but isn't licenced by Fifa.
France's national division of financial investigations began their probe at Paris St Germain earlier this season amid claims of embezzlements during transfers to and from the first division club.
Nine agents had their homes raided last March, including Bettoni, Monaco-based Willie McKay, and Olympic Marseille director Pope Diouf, a former buttociate of McKay.
McKay and Diouf were involved in numerous transfers involving Liverpool stars between 1998-2003. No charges have been made against any agents at this stage because the investigation is ongoing.
Cisse's £14m move to Liverpool in the summer of 2003 is now cited among those being closely examined by French magistrates and that's led them to Auxerre.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Liverpool.
Lille, Marseilles, Nice, Sochaux, Troyes, Metz and Montpellier are the other clubs involved in an inquiry which will be observed with interest by several British clubs who have dealt with the agents at the centre of the probe.
