FA to investigate BBC 'bung' claims

The Football Association is to investigate "any possible breach of the rules" following a BBC Panorama programme regarding allegations of 'bung' payments in the game.

The programme, 'Undercover: Football's Dirty Secrets', alleged that a number of Premiership figures received illegal payments from agents in order to facilitate player transfers.

Bolton manager and former potential England managerial candidate Sam Allardyce is at the centre of the allegations, along with his football agent son Craig.

The Panorama programme contained claims from one football agent who claimed that he bribed Allardyce in the past, while another agent claimed that Craig Allardyce received secret payments in three transfer deals.

Sam Allardyce has denied the allegations, telling reporters that he was "very angry" aout the claims.

Earlier on Wednesday, a statement on Bolton's website said: "We are reviewing the Panorama programme carefully and we may request further information from the BBC. We will make further comment in due course."

Other Premiership figures who feature in the allegations include Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp who was secretly filmed allegedly discussing an illegal approach to buy Blackburn defender Andy Todd.

Newcastle first team coach, Kevin Bond, who was working as Redknapp's assistant at the time, is also alleged to have said that he would consider receiving payments from agents.

Chelsea's director of youth football Frank Arnesen was also featured in the documentary.

He was filmed allegedly making an illegal approach to 15-year-old Middlesbrough and England youth team player Nathan Porritt.

All those named in the programme have denied doing anything wrong.

On Wednesday afternoon, Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb spoke to the BBC and criticised football agent Peter Harrison for allegedly offering Porritt to both Chelsea and Liverpool.

Both clubs have reportedly denied breaking the rules in connection with their interest in the young player.

Commenting on the allegations, Sports Minister Richard Caborn said that the allegations "damage the integrity of football."

He called on the makers of the Panorama documentary to hand over their findings to Lord Stevens' Premier League inquiry into illegal payments in football, which is due to announce its findings on October 2.

(KMcA/EF)