FA suspends London agent after test of 'good character'

The agent Charles Mambo has been suspended by the Football Association after completing its test "of good character and reputation". The north London-based agent has been banned from participating in "all football and football activity".

Mambo is registered with Fifa. He was raised in Cameroon and played in that country's second division before moving to the UK in 1985.

The FA announced that it had acted "following completion of the FA's test under article 14.31 of the Football Agents Regulations, which requires licensed agents to fulfil the requirements of the test of good character and reputation".

Article 14.31 states: "A licensed agent must at all times fulfil the requirements of the test of good character and reputation, the terms of which shall be agreed by the Association from time to time, to include, but not be limited to, consideration of the Licensed Agent's criminal record and financial history (eg bankruptcy)."

For legal reasons, the FA refused to say why Mambo has been suspended.

The FA recently announced disciplinary action against other licensed agents. Saif Rubie recently had his agent's licence briefly suspended for failing to provide information on his company Up 'n' Up Management Limited, his professional indemnity insurance, and the annual declaration form that licensed agents are required to submit. He was also fined £600 and has since been allowed to resume operating, having supplied the FA with the information it had requested.

The North-east-based agent Ian Elliott was also recently warned as to his future conduct after admitting a charge of failing to lodge with the FA his representation contract with the Sunderland player Grant Leadbitter.

Another agent, Charles Collymore, meanwhile, has denied an FA charge of allegedly touting the Luton Town player Enoch Showunmi to Millwall without the knowledge or consent of Luton and in breach of League rules. The FA alleged that Collymore had breached the association's Football Agents Regulations and/or the Fifa Players' Agents Regulations. Collymore has requested a personal hearing.