No offence like, but this is McCarthy's agent:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/fraudster-barry-hughes-denies-acting-5082410
Fraudster Barry Hughes denies acting as FIFA agent in big-money transfers
FRAUDSTER Barry Hughes has been accused of breaking the rules by acting as an agent in a multi-million-pound football transfer.
The former boxing promoter is not eligible for a FIFA agent’s licence due to his convictions for a mortgage swindle, money laundering and violence.
But Crystal Palace star James McArthur named Hughes as his agent and said he played a part in his £7million move from Wigan.
Scotland midfielder McArthur tweeted a picture of him and Hughes together and wrote: “Big thanks to my agent Barry Hughes for helping and getting this move to Palace over the line.”
In the tweet, McArthur also named Storm Sports X – an agency whose clients include Leeds United’s Ross McCormack and James McCarthy.
Hughes’s lawyer Paul Reid denied that his client was acting as an agent in big-money transfers.
He claimed Hughes was only an employee of agents who represented the stars.
Reid added: “There’s no truth whatsoever to this assertion.
“My client is employed by a number of agents who represent elite sportsmen, including footballers.
“He doesn’t operate as their agent but merely as an employee.”
FIFA rules state that those with a record for violent or financial crimes aren’t eligible to obtain a football agent’s licence.
Clubs and players are also forbidden from using unlicensed football agents.
In February last year, Hughes was jailed for 43 months after pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining £1,287,955 for two mortgages.
He also admitted laundering £129,000 in a property sale and £30,000 through buying a Rolex watch.
Hughes was freed from jail last April pending an appeal, which later saw his jail term quashed and a £45,000 fine handed out instead.
In 2008, Hughes was fined £5000 for being caught in possession of a knife in a Glasgow nightclub.
The following year, he was ordered to do 150 hours of community service for attacking a man in another nightclub.
When asked if they would investigate Hughes’s alleged involvement in big-money transfers, FIFA referred us
to the FA.
The FA refused to comment. The SFA also refused to comment.
Nick De Marco, a sports lawyer who has acted for footballing agents and many top-flight clubs, said: “The FA appear to be selective about which cases they decide to investigate.
“I’ve seen one club prosecuted for something and when another club does it, the FA do nothing. The same is true of agents.
“There needs to be consistency for public confidence in football.”
Storm Sports’ website states: “Our mission is to ensure that our athletes maintain their position at the very highest level of their chosen career and to achieve the earning potential.”
Under their football section, they list 15 players, including Rangers’ Ian Black, Nicky Law, Stevie Smith and Kyle Hutton.
Hughes has been scrutinised for his work with footballers before.
In 2008, he said: “I do not have a FIFA agent’s licence. I promote young sportsmen but any deals I conduct are concluded with a FIFA-registered agent present.”
