Fulham have made a formal complaint to the Premier League about the actions of Liverpool FC in relation to Clint Dempsey.
It has emerged that Liverpool, and the club's owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG), could be in hot water over their transfer pursuit of Fulham's Clint Dempsey.
The American international was Fulham's top scorer last season but has since expressed a desire to leave Craven Cottage and subsequently refused to play, resulting in a hefty personal fine.
The Reds are known to be interested in signing the 29-year-old and it appears Fulham are unhappy with their 'indirect' approach to securing Dempsey and feel the speculation generated has further unsettled the player.
The complaint was lodged last month and confirmed today by the Premier League. Fulham's stance follows comments from Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and after an article published on FSG's own website, NASN.com, wrongly indicated Dempsey had signed for the Merseysiders.
Rodgers said, in quotes published on the club's official website Liverpoolfc.com: "Clint is a player we've inquired about, it is as simple as that.
"Ian Ayre, our managing director, has spoken with the club to see what the position is. That is where we're at. He's a very talented player but we don't like to talk about other clubs' players."
Premier League rules state "a statement made publicly by or on behalf of a club expressing interest in acquiring the registration of a contract player or by a contract player expressing interest in transferring his registration to another club... shall in either case be treated as an indirect approach".
Rodgers is still thought to be interested in buying Dempsey but has so far refused to meet the £9m asking prize.
If Liverpool is adjudged to have broken the ruling then they can expect to be fined heavily.
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