Peterborough deny illegal approach for Robbie Savage
Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has denied claims the club made an illegal approach to hire Robbie Savage as manager. The accusation came from Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince, Savage's former employer. Savage was appointed by Peterborough on 2 October.
Vince said he initially refused Peterborough permission to speak to Savage. He then alleged the club spoke to Savage directly despite that refusal. He described that contact as an illegal approach, according to BBC Sport.
MacAnthony rejected that version of events. He said Peterborough's process to appoint a new manager was "100% correct and proper, following all the rules". He insisted every step followed the regulations.
The public timeline has two stages. Forest Green first announced Savage had been given permission to speak to another club. The club then confirmed he had been offered the Peterborough job, which followed the departure of Luke Williams.
That shift from refusal to permission sits at the centre of the dispute. Vince has not set out further detail of when or how the alleged direct contact happened, beyond saying it came after he first said no. MacAnthony has not given a detailed account of the talks either, beyond his firm denial.
For anyone new to this kind of row, the rule is simple. A manager under contract cannot be approached directly by another club. The interested club must first ask his current club for permission to talk. Speaking without that permission is often called tapping up, and it can be punished by the football authorities.
Forest Green have not confirmed whether they have contacted the Football Association about the matter. That leaves the next step unclear. There has been no ruling and no charge, only two very different accounts.
What makes this stand out is the name involved. Savage is well known to casual fans from a long playing career and his work as a pundit. His move into the dugout brings extra noise. For supporters of both clubs, that means attention is split for now between results on the pitch and the argument off it.
