Agent Scott McGarvey sues Daily Telegraph over sting that cost Sam Allardyce job
Monday 19 December 2016 16:19, UK
The agent at the centre of the newspaper sting which led to Sam Allardyce losing his job as England manager has begun legal action, seeking damages in excess of £1.5m from the Daily Telegraph.
Scott McGarvey was a central figure in the series of revelations printed by the paper in late September which culminated in Allardyce stepping down as national team coach after only two months and one game in charge.
Following Allardyce's departure, McGarvey gave an exclusive interview to Sky Sports News HQ in which he claimed he had no idea he was being set up by journalists posing as potential football investors.
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Lawyers acting on McGarvey's behalf have written to the Telegraph's editor, Chris Evans, alleging that the exposé was based on a "blatant and callous deceit" and "breach of confidence" which has resulted in "substantial pecuniary loss, distress and inconvenience".
The 11-page letter from Graham Small, a partner at JMW Solicitors, details how publication saw McGarvey, a former Manchester United striker and Scotland international, miss out on numerous business opportunities.
Mr Small added that the tone of the letter underlined the "massively negative professional and personal impact" which the affair had caused.
"The publication of the stories generated enormous coverage but terrible consequences for Mr McGarvey which cannot be underestimated.
"He has already admitted being eager to impress individuals who he thought were prospective employers.
"However, in return, for helping to arrange certain meetings in good faith and pursuit of a job opportunity, his good standing in the football industry has been badly affected and he has lost out on lucrative business.
"It is perfectly justifiable for him to seek redress and he intends to do so with vigour".
The lost opportunities identified include the failure to close the potential transfer of one player to a Premier League club in a deal that would have netted him a share of agent fees and commissions worth in excess of £1m over the course of the player's contract.
In addition, the lawyers' letter sets out how McGarvey missed out on a near six-figure sum in combined retainers over two years from a technology firm and a property company which both terminated contract talks when the Telegraph's stories were printed.
Mr Small said that his client was demanding £100,000 for the impact to his reputation, £250,000 in exemplary damages and another six-figure amount to cover distress, loans and the sums which he believes is due to him from the contract signed with the front company for the Telegraph's investigation.
