Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy has told how he feels the departure of Robbie Keane from Tottenham to Liverpool is not a transfer deal, but Spurs have announced they have dropped their complaint about Liverpool’s conduct after an apology.

Levy said: “I was incredibly disappointed when I first heard, not only that Liverpool had been working behind the scenes to bring Robbie to Anfield, but that Robbie himself wanted to go and submitted a transfer request to this effect.

“I have already made my opinion clear on the nature of this transaction. I don’t regard it as a transfer deal - that is something which happens between two clubs when they both agree to trade - this is very much an enforced sale, for which we have agreed a sum of £19m as compensation plus a potential further £1.3m in additional compensation.”

A statement on the Spurs website read: “Liverpool FC have acknowledged that the way its website reported comments of its manager, which were widely covered by the media, was inappropriate.

“In light of that acknowledgement (they) have apologised and agreed to make a donation to our Club’s main charity, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.

“Tottenham Hotspur has therefore agreed not to pursue its official complaint to the Premier League.”