Court Throws Out Boro "poach" claim

A High Court judge has thrown Middlesbourgh's claim out the window that the Anfield club poached German Star Christian Ziege from the teeside club.

Liverpool were being sued following a Premier League enquiry which fined the club £20,000 and Ziege £10,000 after it was found there had been breaches of the league's rules prohibiting 'poaching' of in-contract players.

But Mr Justice Astill said that Boro's action was based on "speculation" and had no realistic prospect of success.

David Phillips QC, representing Middlesbrough, had told the judge that Liverpool had exploited confidential knowledge of Ziege's contract with Middlesbrough which allowed transfer negotiations to go ahead if a minimum figure of £5.5 million was offered.

He said Ziege was worth £7.5 million, the sum offered by Rangers and Chelsea in August 2000.