All Bunged Up
BBC documentary Panorama accused Sam Allardyce of receiving illegal payments from two agents in it’s probe into dodgy transfer dealings in football’s top flight.
While the documentary failed to present any hard evidence to suggest any wrongdoing, it’s surprising an investigation such as this has taken so long to happen. More than 10 years have passed since former Arsenal manager George Graham was issued a one year ban from football after he received illegal payments as part of the deal bringing John Jensen and Pal Lydersen to Highbury.
It would be foolish and naive to think he is the only manager that has operated in this fashion. In an industry awash with millions upon millions of pounds, there are bound to be some dubious “kickbacks”, “sweeteners” or “backhanders” in order for some deals to be done and to ensure certain parties involved take their “cut”.
Indeed, the documentary claimed that 18 past and present Premiership managers had been named as having taken illegal payments.
But what about doing something about it? It appears the FA have not been overly keen to get involved, as the documentary revealed there is only one person on the staff that investigates transfers - covering all 92 professional league clubs and possibly those further down the pyramid aswell.
More questions than answers have been raised and if nothing else, sparks should fly in the coming weeks as Allardyce and his former agent son Craig were presented in a particularly poor light.
Big Sam has already asked his lawyers to take “appropriate” action.