Zahavi hits back after Quest report

Zahavi, who was named in the Stevens report into alleged transfer irregularities, has accused Quest of attempting to deliberately harm his reputation.

Zahavi was accused of not co-operating fully with the inquiry because he failed to provide the Quest team with complete bank statements.

The report added that questions remain over Zahavi's dealings with agent Barry Silkman and recommended FIFA be asked to launch their own inquiry into the Israeli agent. But Zahavi's legal team have written to the Premier League rejecting the contents of the Stevens report and questioning Quest's conduct.

The letter, addressed to Premier League chairman Sir David Richards and chief executive Richard Scudamore, concludes with a demand for an immediate and public apology.

It reads: "Our client holds the name of the Quest employee who briefed the press on a regular basis, slandering our client for no reason. This can only be seen as a deliberate attempt to harm our client's reputation.

"It seems that Quest's misleading publication concerning our client is a wrongful attempt to justify the nomination of Quest by showing some findings against our client where none actually exist.

"Due to this publication of misleading findings, our client's reputation was and is still being badly damaged. Newspapers around the world are quoting the publication calling for FIFA to investigate 'Mr Zahavi's conduct', whereas his conduct was honourable.

"Therefore we expect a prompt and unambiguous statement by Quest and/or the FA Premier League, which would include an apology for the aforementioned publication and a clarification as to our client's co-operation with the inquiry, in particular his consent to provide relevant bank statements.

"Our client is reserving the right to hold you and Quest responsible for any damages resulting from the groundless and reckless publication."