LONDON, Dec 13: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said the growing influence of players means that the breaking of Premier League rules by ‘tapping-up’ players and even managers now happens regularly.

Negotiating with players from other clubs is against Premier League rules in England, but the practice is one that is likely to be on the increase as the January transfer window approaches.

Redknapp said a culture of tapping-up is firmly entrenched, giving players and their agents’ power to decide when and where they want to go.

“It does happen all the time,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “Everybody has got the ear of a chairman, a chief executive or a director of football. Agents are talking to players direct, so it’s become more and more difficult.

“When they want to go [leave], players have got so much power. I don’t think there’s a lot you can do about it.”

Redknapp’s comments come a day after Chelsea released a statement bluntly reminding their players of contract obligations.

The statement followed speculation that Brazilian defender Alex, unhappy with being left out the team, had demanded a move away from Stamford Bridge during this January’s transfer window.“Chelsea will decide the future of any contracted player in the best interests of the club.”

Few clubs, arguably, have emerged victorious in tugs-of-war over top players, one of the few and recent exceptions being Manchester United’s refusal to give in to Cristiano Ronaldo’s demands to join Spanish giants Real Madrid.—AFP