Football clubs and parents are being urged to report agents who use social networking sites such as Facebook to befriend young players.
It has emerged that several clubs have contacted the Football Association because of concerns that sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo were being used by some agents to target promising young players.
A leaked FA document said: “We have been contacted by a number of clubs regarding the use of networking sites by agents. It is apparent that some are using sites as a means to contact and befriend players, in particular youngsters who are more likely to use such sites.
"If these agents are using sites to contact players under 16 years or still in full-time education, then this matter should be reported.”
The FA has recently introduced new guidelines regarding the practice of agents, largely aimed at promoting greater transparency in player transfers.
News that some agents are using social networking sites has been strongly condemned by other prominent figures within the industry.
“This is disgraceful behaviour and taints the professional organisations among us,” said Colin Gordon, whose company Key Sports Management represents England and Arsenal winger Theo Walcott.
- DT