Ferguson has slammed Real Madrid’s open ­pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo this summer while Tottenham ­chairman Levy claimed that Liverpool’s interest in Robbie Keane and Manchester United’s in Dimitar Berbatov broke FIFA rules on player approaches.

But Crystal Palace manager Warnock – who lost teenager John Bostock to White Hart Lane for just £700,000 last month – believes all top clubs are guilty of poaching talent.

He has urged the FA to draft new laws to protect smaller clubs from losing their bright young stars for low fees.

Warnock said: “It makes me laugh when you hear people from big clubs such as Sir Alex and Levy having a go about alleged tapping up and underhand behaviour.

“It brings a smile to my face. There’s a 14-year-old in our academy who has already been tapped up by agents and big clubs.

“I’m sure it’s also ­happening with 11- and 12-year-olds so it’s vital the laws change.

“Officially, we can’t talk to players about professional ­contracts until they’re 16 but in reality most of the deals with other clubs are sealed well before then.

“If the FA think that the big clubs just come along to chat with the guy on his 16th birthday they’re living in  cloud-cuckoo-land.

“Most of the deals ­happen after months of talks so there should be legislation to stop that kind of thing happening.

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