Football agent Aidy Ward and his Colossal Sports Management agency have been handed a ban by the Football Association until December 2024 for approaches made to a minor in breach of FA rules. The FA rules prohibit agents from offering deals to players before 1 January in the year of their 16th birthday. In response to the ban, Ward and his agency have lodged an appeal.
Ward was formerly the agent of England international Raheem Sterling and negotiated his £49m move from Liverpool to Manchester City in 2015. Sterling dropped Ward as an agent in 2020.
The FA released a statement confirming that “Adrian Ward and Colossal Sports Management Ltd have both been suspended from all intermediary activity up to and including 3 December 2024, and also warned about their future conduct.” It was alleged that Ward had directly or indirectly made an approach to a minor on behalf of Colossal Sports Management Ltd between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019.
The independent regulatory commission found all of the charges to be proven and imposed the sanctions. An appeal has been lodged by Ward and Colossal Sports Management Ltd. The FA has reiterated its commitment to protecting minors and will continue to enforce its regulations in respect of any such misconduct by participants.