A MANAGER at the heart of a stunning blackmail case is being investigated by the FA after the trial collapsed last week.
The unnamed gaffer had accused a professional player of trying to extract thousands of pounds from him, including by threatening his family.
Neither the alleged victim nor the two suspects charged in the case can be named for legal reasons.
However, the trial fell apart last week when the manager refused to give evidence against those he had accused.
Both suspects were found not guilty at Derby Crown Court as the case was thrown out.
It has now emerged that the FA have opened an investigation in the manager, which could see them face FA charges.
English football’s governing body has reportedly been aware of the case for a long time.
There have been suggestions that it is to do with betting by those involved in the case, but this has not been confirmed.
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The FA declined to comment.
The two players, one currently contracted and the other an ex-pro, had both been charged with blackmail and perverting the course of justice.
They denied all charges.
This comes after the news that Juventus ace Paul Pogba is under police protection in Italy amid his own blackmail ordeal.
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Pogba’s own brother, Mathias, has been charged as part of the gang that tried to extort the former Man Utd midfielder for a large sum.
Mathias had previously claimed that his younger brother had paid a witch doctor to curse French teammate Kylian Mbappe.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
