February 11 2005

Simon Jordan

AJ in the England team, Simon Jordan leading the calls for Chelsea to be punished for tapping up ASHLEY COLE and Iain Dowie getting praise from Keith Hackett, the Premier League's chief referee, after refusing to criticise Dermot Gallagher over Gonzalo's Sorondo's sending off at West Brom, by Neil McSteen.

The past few days have certainly been busy for Palace's high-profile trio.

Johnson's call-up is not just recognition of his outstanding talent, but also of his team-mates' support and Dowie's part in his progress, a point the top scoring Englishman in the Premiership is quick to recognise.

Due to COLEgate, Jordan is now no longer the sole outspoken voice on the scourge of agents in football. Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson and Southampton supremo Rupert Lowe, himself a victim of illegal advances from Aston Villa for striker James Beattie, have also voiced support.

Whether the debate moves on depends on who else speaks out. After all, there is an unspoken understanding, and general willingness throughout football, that agents are necessary.

If they so desired, Premiership clubs could flex their cartel-like power, collectively limit agents' powers and clean the game up.

Jordan's principled stance, and now COLEgate, could ultimately be the catalyst for positive change.

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