Arnesen row gathering momentum

Tottenham are poised to lodge an official complaint with the Premier League over the alleged tapping-up of sporting director Frank Arnesen by Chelsea.

Arnesen has been suspended by Spurs and White Hart Lane officials are still weighing up what action to take after claiming their London neighbours made an approach in direct breach of FAPL rules.

Chelsea insist their advances were official but it looks certain to end in an official complaint.

The row follows last week's punishment for Chelsea over their role in an illegal meeting with Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole.

Spurs have explained how Chelsea's letter to ask for permission to approach Arnesen was copied to the Spurs supremo.

"By definition, Frank was therefore approached prior to the club having had any chance to refuse permission," said a statement on Tottenham's website.

Chelsea do not dispute a letter requesting permission to approach Arnesen was sent to Tottenham. It was addressed to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and copied to Arnesen, and Chelsea do not regard that as a breach of Premier League rules.

It is understood Chelsea believe negotiations with Spurs to secure Arnesen's services are still open and £5million is the figure it would take to secure the Dane's capture from White Hart Lane.

Arnesen has apparently told Spurs he wishes to join Chelsea, leading to his suspension.

Chelsea, the Barclays Premiership champions, were fined £300,000 last week - manager Jose Mourinho was also ordered to pay £200,000 - and given a suspended three-point deduction for their role in an illegal meeting with Cole.

The points deduction will be activated if a similar offence occurs in the next season, although rule K3 under which they were punished for applies to contract players and Arnesen is a sporting director.

Arnesen arrived at White Hart Lane last year after a successful spell with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

Although head coach Jacques Santini left the club three months into the season -  later claiming his relationship with Arnesen was strained - Spurs appeared to be making progress under Arnesen and new boss Martin Jol.

Arnesen brought a raft of new signings to the club and Spurs only just missed out on qualifying for the UEFA Cup through their Premiership finish.

Yesterday's UEFA 'fair play' draw, which the club entered due to their disciplinary record, did not provide a route into European competition either.

Former Spurs director of football David Pleat has claimed the alleged tapping-up 'stinks a little bit'.

"I think Frank Arnesen, having secured a very good job in certain circumstances, has been rather disloyal to Tottenham, if he now needs to go - and he is obviously going for one reason," he said.

Pleat added:  "When Frank was thinking of retiring from PSV, Tottenham came along, and I introduced him to them, to speak to him about how the football director relationship works.

"They came back and were obviously quite seduced by Frank, gave Frank a terrific opportunity here to continue his career in that role, gave him a contract at whatever money, and was more than happy to come - now a few months later, he is more than happy to go and that stinks a little bit, doesn't it?"