Brazilians back Dein over Gilberto transfer

David Dein's denial that Arsenal used "covert" means to sign Gilberto Silva has been supported by the club the Brazilian was signed from.

Alexandre Kall, president of Atletico Mineiro, was perfectly happy with the role the Gunners played in the transfer.

He said: "I am shocked to hear about the press reports concerning the sale of Gilberto Silva.

"I can confirm that Arsenal complied with all the rules and all the negotiations for the player were held exclusively between the two clubs."

The Brazilian midfielder's 2002 move to Highbury is the subject of court action with former Liverpool striker Ronny Rosenthal and business partner Jacques Lichtenstein claiming they are owed an agent's fee of £450,000 from the move.

Called as a witness yesterday, Arsenal vice-chairman Dein admitted he had used Dick Law, who is not a licensed FIFA agent, to make "inquiries of the footballer's agent and the club" without revealing it was the Gunners who were interested.

However, he rejected the suggestion this amounted to a "covert" approach, in an exchange which has been regarded as potentially embarrassing in the light of Arsenal's objections to Chelsea's 'tapping-up' of Ashley Cole.