Agents claim Allardyce took bribes for transfers

LONDON – Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has been accused by two football agents of taking bribes to agree transfers.

The highly damaging allegations were made in a BBC television programme broadcast on Tuesday which sought to expose corruption in English football. An undercover investigation was mounted over the last year by the Panorama programme and Allardyce, who was on the Football Association’s (FA) shortlist for the England manager’s job earlier this year, emerged as its main target.One agent Teni Yerima claimed he had given Allardyce ‘bungs’ to ensure transfers of Bolton players to and from the Premiership club went through smoothly.Another agent Peter Harrison alleged that he had paid Allardyce’s son Craig to get access to the Bolton boss and agree transfer deals with him.The Panorama programme claimed that three Bolton transfers involved secret payments from agents to Craig Allardyce, even though he was banned from being involved in deals with the Reebok Stadium outfit.The film showed Craig Allardyce, who later denied any wrongdoing, telling an undercover reporter: “I’ll get the (player) profile and I’ll walk straight into the office and sit down with me Dad.It’s easy, it’s easy.”Sam Allardyce, who was interviewed by the FA as a potential replacement for former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, was watching his team’s 3-1 League Cup second round win at Walsall as the programme was being aired.But he insisted he would defend himself if he believes the allegations are unjustified.Allardyce said: “I will be making a statement but tonight I am here at Walsall (in a League Cup match) doing my job.”I’m aware of the situation but, of course, I have not seen anything of the programme.I need to have a look at that and then take a view.”But if anyone has said anything wrong about Sam Allardyce, believe you me, I will be fighting it.”But despite his protestations, the FA and Premier League are likely to investigate the claims.Harry Redknapp, manager of surprise Premiership leaders Portsmouth, was also secretly filmed discussing a deal to buy Blackburn defender Andy Todd with Harrison, which is illegal under FA rules.Redknapp was filmed telling Harrison: “I like Toddy, don’t I? No I’d take him.I would take him.I would take him without a doubt.”But the Portsmouth boss denied the conversation was illegal.The Premier League is already awaiting the results of a report by Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, into alleged transfer irregularities in deals made since January 1 2004 and his findings are expected in the next few weeks.Nampa-AFPAn undercover investigation was mounted over the last year by the Panorama programme and Allardyce, who was on the Football Association’s (FA) shortlist for the England manager’s job earlier this year, emerged as its main target.One agent Teni Yerima claimed he had given Allardyce ‘bungs’ to ensure transfers of Bolton players to and from the Premiership club went through smoothly.Another agent Peter Harrison alleged that he had paid Allardyce’s son Craig to get access to the Bolton boss and agree transfer deals with him.The Panorama programme claimed that three Bolton transfers involved secret payments from agents to Craig Allardyce, even though he was banned from being involved in deals with the Reebok Stadium outfit.The film showed Craig Allardyce, who later denied any wrongdoing, telling an undercover reporter: “I’ll get the (player) profile and I’ll walk straight into the office and sit down with me Dad.It’s easy, it’s easy.”Sam Allardyce, who was interviewed by the FA as a potential replacement for former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, was watching his team’s 3-1 League Cup second round win at Walsall as the programme was being aired.But he insisted he would defend himself if he believes the allegations are unjustified.Allardyce said: “I will be making a statement but tonight I am here at Walsall (in a League Cup match) doing my job.”I’m aware of the situation but, of course, I have not seen anything of the programme.I need to have a look at that and then take a view.”But if anyone has said anything wrong about Sam Allardyce, believe you me, I will be fighting it.”But despite his protestations, the FA and Premier League are likely to investigate the claims.Harry Redknapp, manager of surprise Premiership leaders Portsmouth, was also secretly filmed discussing a deal to buy Blackburn defender Andy Todd with Harrison, which is illegal under FA rules.Redknapp was filmed telling Harrison: “I like Toddy, don’t I? No I’d take him.I would take him.I would take him without a doubt.”But the Portsmouth boss denied the conversation was illegal.The Premier League is already awaiting the results of a report by Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, into alleged transfer irregularities in deals made since January 1 2004 and his findings are expected in the next few weeks.Nampa-AFP