• Premier League

Fulham drop Dempsey complaint after Reds apology

ESPN staff
December 12, 2012
Clint Dempsey ultimately moved to Tottenham in August © PA Photos
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Fulham have dropped their complaint over Liverpool's pursuit of Clint Dempseyafter the Reds apologised for their behaviour over the summer.

A statement on Fulham's official website read: "Fulham can confirm that it has today withdrawn the complaint made against Liverpool FC in regard to the Merseyside club's inappropriate actions surrounding interest in Clint Dempsey over the summer.

"Liverpool's chairman Tom Werner apologised personally to Mohamed Al Fayed, stating that his club were wholly responsible for unprofessional behaviour toward Fulham and emphasised his regret for the entire episode.

"In a letter from Liverpool to Fulham's CEO Alistair Mackintosh, Tom Werner's praise of the magnanimous gesture from the chairman was reiterated, as was the club's assurance that the conduct of Liverpool was simply not acceptable.

"The chairman decided that this sincere action was enough, and as a gesture of goodwill, instructed that all complaints against them be dropped."

Fulham had believed Liverpool's actions had unsettled Dempsey. In May, Liverpool co-owner Tom Werner hinted at an interest in the player, and a website owned by Fenway Sports Group mistakenly published a story under a headline that had suggested a deal was completed. Manager Brendan Rodgers also publicly praised the USA international.

Dempsey did not play in Fulham's pre-season or early-season games after informing the club he wanted a transfer and eventually joined Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the transfer window, with the Reds having failed to table an acceptable offer.

Fulham made an official complaint to the Premier League over the matter, but Liverpool co-owner Tom Werner is said to have paid a visit to Cottagers chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, while managing director Ian Ayre followed up with a letter accepting the club's conduct "was wrong".

He added, according to the Daily Mail: "Please also consider this letter from me to be an additional expression of sincere regret and apology from our club to your club for our actions last summer. Our club can do better and we pledge that it will."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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