The Professional Footballers’ Association said in a release Thursday that veteran Premier League and former US national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel did not attempt to block Tim Howard’s move from MetroStars to Manchester United in 2003.
A war of words broke out between the two 'keepers when Howard claimed in his soon-to-be released autobiography that Friedel “actively tried to block” his move to United by writing an unflattering letter to the PFA, which has a say in work-permit appeals should a player not meet the pre-set criteria. An excerpt of the Everton and current USMNT star’s book, The Keeper, was released Wednesday on ESPNFC.com.
Friedel denied that claim later Wednesday, requesting an apology from Howard.
The PFA’s release said Friedel, now the backup ‘keeper at Tottenham Hotspur, requested they confirm that he did not send correspondence in regard to Howard.
