Liverpool and Man Utd ban Chelsea scouts after Blues decision as clubs meet to fix issue

Chelsea's decision to deny scouts access has been deemed a response to losing star teenager Rio Ngumoha during the summer with Manchester United and Liverpool responding in kind

Liverpool and Manchester United have banned Chelsea scouts from academy matches in response to the Blues acting against them, according to reports.

While a formal ban is not in place from each club, it is suggested that tensions between the sides have seen accreditation requests denied for academy matches. The last month has seen scouts from the Reds and United denied access to the Blues' Coham training ground, with the situation said to be reciprocal.

The Athletic reports that the clubs held talks last week in a bid to resolve the situation but have yet to come to an agreement. Premier League rules stipulate that scouts should be permitted to attend academy games if they have notified both clubs involved before noon on the last working day before the match and produces valid identification.

It has been claimed that United and Liverpool have interpreted the action as a result of Chelsea losing Rio Ngumoha to Liverpool over the summer. The teenage midfielder chose not to remain with the west London side when offered a contract, and also drew interest from Manchester United.

The highly-regarded 16-year-old has featured in the UEFA Youth League for Liverpool already this season with the west London side disappointed to lose a top talent. The move was said to have been a difficult one despite clearing the Premier League ’s five-step review process, which ensures rules are not broken when a youth player leaves one academy to join another.

The report adds Chelsea were first to restrict access, though it is contested. There is also contention over whether Liverpool have already denied requests from the Blues, though this is likely occur moving forwards in a reciprocal act.

The situation leaves a difficult predicament for Chelsea's new academy leadership team. Neil Bath and Jim Fraser both departed Stamford Bridge earlier this year after leading a very successful period having been in charge of development for two decades.

Glenn van der Kraan was appointed as the new academy technical director after being prised from Manchester City. Jack Francis was meanwhile promoted from within the club to the new role to academy football operations director.

“After 30 years working at Chelsea, I feel it is the right time for me to have some time off and take a break from a job that I have put so much time into,” Bath said in July. “I intend to rest and have some time away from the game, however I will continue working over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition for the organisation.

“As an academy, we have enjoyed fantastic backing from the club throughout my time here, without which none of our success would have been possible.

“I would like to thank every single person - player, parent, colleague, supporter - who has been on this journey with us. We achieved everything we could possibly have dreamed of - five Youth Cups in a row, countless debuts, homegrown players helping the team win the Champions League - and we did it together.

“In particular, I have to mention Jim Fraser, who has assisted me for the past 20 years and played such an important role in everything we have achieved."

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