Police investigate fraud claims against sponsorship company 07/01/2010 |
|
| |
| |
The Metropolitan Police has launched a fraud investigation into Global Sponsorship Group (GSG) after concerns were apparently raised about the company by several leading athletes.
GSG calls itself an “online facilitator” that matches sports stars with corporate sponsors, but the Daily Telegraph reports that internet forums have been “awash” with allegations from athletes about its business practices.
Some were allegedly asked to pay £500 up front before any sponsorship deals were negotiated. Athletes including Olympic gold medallist Mark Lewis-Francis, hurdler Andy Turner and sprinter Abi Oyepitan are thought to be among those who have concerns about GSG.
A police spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that South Norwood police are investigating an allegation of fraud in relation to a sponsorship company based in Croydon.”
The paper quotes Lewis-Francis as saying that he was prevented from commenting on GSG for legal reasons but he confirmed that he was in dispute over his deal.
“Fortunately, I’ve got a good agent and a good coach looking after me,” he said. “UK Athletics have also been very helpful.”
Mark Cas, chief executive of Global Sponsorship Group, insisted it was untrue that athletes were asked to pay money in advance and that legal proceedings would be issued next week against “various people”.
“We sacked some staff and that has given rise to this whole thing,” he said.
“I will talk about it next week once proceedings have been issued against people. All I will say is that none of the athletes like Lewis-Francis were asked to front up any money.”
|
| Back |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
