Football
PA Sport 8y

Who has been implicated in the Daily Telegraph's corruption sting?

The Daily Telegraph's "Football for Sale" investigation has alleged a series of illicit practices in the English game and has already cost Sam Allardyce his job as England manager.

Here we look at the individuals implicated so far.

SAM ALLARDYCE

The former Bolton, West Ham and Sunderland manager left his role as England boss after footage emerged of him negotiating a £400,000 deal to give speeches to Asian investors in Hong Kong and Singapore. He also suggested there were ways "to get around'' the Football Association's "ridiculous'' transfer rules and made rude remarks about his immediate predecessor Roy Hodgson and the FA.

The 61-year-old described it as "a silly thing to do,'' but said "entrapment has won on this occasion.''

ERIC BLACK

The Southampton assistant manager, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Aberdeen, is alleged to have discussed with undercover reporters how managers and coaches in the lower leagues might be persuaded to identify players who could be signed up on management contracts.

He denies the allegations. It is understood Southampton are seeking the Telegraph's full file of evidence on Black before initiating an investigation.

MASSIMO CELLINO

The controversial Leeds owner, an eccentric Italian businessman, allegedly told representatives of a fictitious Far East firm that they could become club shareholders in order to receive a portion of players' sell-on fees.

Leeds called the allegations a "non-story.'' The club added: "This is plainly not a suggestion as to how to circumvent the rules [on third party ownership] but rather an accurate, albeit concise, explanation of how to operate within the confines of the rules.''

JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK

QPR manager Hasselbaink is alleged to have requested a fee of £55,000 to work for a fake Far East firm seeking to sell players to the club. QPR said the 44-year-old would be subjected to a "thorough internal investigation'' but added: "We have every confidence in our manager and the robust systems and processes the club has in place.''

The former Leeds and Chelsea striker denies wrongdoing. The west London club said on Friday they were "unable to proceed'' with their investigation until they had been sent all the Telegraph's evidence related to the Dutchman.

SCOTT McGARVEY

The football agent was present at the meetings involving Allardyce, Black and Hasselbaink. A spokesman for McGarvey said he would "vigorously defend his reputation'' and that he denies all allegations of wrongdoing.

PINO PAGLIARA

Unlicensed Italian football agent Pagliara was one of those secretly filmed and apparently arranged the meeting with Cellino. He was previously banned from the sport for matchfixing, the Telegraph said.

Pagliara said he had never paid bungs to anyone. He added that he had "fabricated'' the stories told to the undercover reporter based on "hearsay'' to impress them in the hope of securing a lucrative contract with the fictitious firm.

DAX PRICE

The agent told the Telegraph "corruption is just staring you in the face'' and claimed that one manager would inflate his own players' wages and then receive a cut as a bung. Price said he could not respond to the Telegraph's investigation without being provided with more detail.

TOMMY WRIGHT

The 50-year-old Scot was sacked as Barnsley assistant head coach after being accused of taking a £5,000 payment from undercover reporters posing as agents. Wright was initially suspended by Barnsley before being sacked following a meeting with chief executive Linton Brown. Wright denies wrongdoing.

^ Back to Top ^