RAHEEM STERLING'S former agent Adrian Ward has been banned until December 2024 after allegedly approaching an underage player.
The FA announced the news on Friday morning, confirming Ward and his company, Colossal Sports Management Ltd, have been suspended.
FA rules prohibit agents from approaching the families of players under the age of 16 to offer representation.
The incident is alleged to have occurred in 2019.
As well as the ban, Ward has also been warned about his future conduct.
The agent and Colossal are appealing against the ruling.
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The full FA statement read: "Adrian Ward and Colossal Sports Management Ltd have both been suspended from all Intermediary activity up to and including 03 December 2024, and also warned about their future conduct.
"Approaching a player to enter into a representation contract before 01 January in the calendar year of their 16th birthday is contrary to The FA’s Working with Intermediaries Regulations.
"It was alleged that Adrian Ward had directly or indirectly made an approach to a minor on behalf of Colossal Sports Management Ltd at various points between 01 January 2019 and 31 December 2019.
"Adrian Ward was charged with misconduct in relation to FA Rule E1(b), and Colossal Sports Management Ltd was charged with misconduct in relation to various breaches of FA Rule E1(b) and Regulation B8 and B8(i), but they were all denied.
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"An independent Regulatory Commission found all of the charges to be proven and imposed these sanctions, and its written reasons for these decisions will be published in due course.
"Adrian Ward and Colossal Sports Management Ltd have both subsequently lodged an appeal.
"The FA takes the protection of minors seriously and will continue to enforce its regulations in respect of any such misconduct by participants."
Sterling dropped Ward as his agent in 2020.
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