SUNDERLAND were last night exonerated by the Football Association over the signing of Stanislav Varga.

The FA denied that they were investigating the £875,000 deal that took Varga to the Stadium of Light in July 2000.

Aston Villa sparked an FA inquiry last year when they notified Soho Square of their concerns over the purchases of Juan Pablo Angel, Alpay and Bosko Balaban.

However, Sunderland seemed to be in the clear yesterday over the arrival of Varga - who was released by the Premiership strugglers last week.

An FA spokesman said: "We've got a long-standing investigation going on into alleged certain transfer irregularities at Aston Villa Football Club which they brought to our attention.

"That is expected to continue for several more months. At this moment in time, there is no involvement at any other club."

Sunderland came out fighting when the claim was made, strenuously denying that they were in the dock. A Sunderland spokesman said: "Stanislav Varga was signed from SV Slovan Bratislava on July 27, 2000 for a fee of £650,000 with a further £200,000 payable depending on appearances. The player was not available on a Bosman free transfer as such rules only apply to contracts within the European Union.

"Also, although Varga's contract with Bratislava expired in June 2000, he had a clause in it which gave Bratislava an automatic option to extend the contract by one year. The money for the transfer was paid directly into Slovan Bratislava's club account."

Varga is on trial at Celtic this week, along with Milan Rapaic, and Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill said: "A couple of seasons ago he looked as if he was doing really well at Sunderland, but obviously it hasn't worked out and he might have a number of alternatives.

''At the end of the week or early next week we might have a better idea about them and whether they want to be with us as well. I wouldn't let them stay forever and a day.

''But Rapaic can definitely play and Varga, whatever people say about him, he is comfortable with the ball but it's too early to make a complete assessment.''

The FA were also yesterday said to be looking at Goran Bunjevcevic's move to Tottenham Hotspur last season. Fulham striker Steve Marlet's move from Lyon in September 2001 is currently under FIFA investigation, with the clubs in dispute over the payment of his transfer fee.

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