Andrew Johnson emphasised last night he had not been forced to put in a transfer request at Crystal Palace by his agent Leon Angel after the club's chairman Simon Jordan announced he intends to report Angel to the English Football Association.
Jordan said he planned to involve the governing body after Johnson formally asked for a move to give himself the best possible chance of making England's World Cup squad after Palace's relegation from the Premiership.
Jordan has stated the 24-year-old is not for sale and appears to believe Angel has acted incorrectly. Johnson defended his agent. "I don't want to fall out with anyone," the striker said. "I made a transfer request which I felt I had to put in to further my career and hopefully play in the World Cup . . . No one is forcing me to make this decision apart from me and my family."
Angel was categoric about his own conduct: "I have acted completely correctly and have done absolutely nothing that warrants me being reported to the FA."
Jordan made his remarks about Angel as he vowed not to bow to Johnson's transfer request. He has turned down an offer from Tottenham, who are among several clubs interested in the former Birmingham City player.
"I intend to report the agent to the football authorities," Jordan said. "I have made it abundantly clear Andrew is under contract to Palace and he is not available for sale. He is an integral part of our plans to make a swift return to top-flight football and I have no intention of being dictated to."
Portsmouth have reiterated they signed Laurent Robert on a three-year contract after their chairman Milan Mandaric was quoted as saying the club would only take the winger permanently from Newcastle "if all goes well" next season. "Laurent Robert is with us for three years . . . The only get-out clause to this would be is we were relegated," said the Fratton Park club.
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