Sam Allardyce used his position as England manager to negotiate a £400,000 deal and offered advice to businessmen on how to “get around” FA rules on player transfers, The Telegraph can disclose.
Before he had even held his first training session as England’s new head coach, Allardyce negotiated a deal with men purporting to represent a Far East firm that was hoping to profit from the Premier League’s billion-pound transfer market.
He agreed to travel to Singapore and Hong Kong as an ambassador and explained to the “businessmen” how they could circumvent Football Association rules which prohibit third parties “owning” players.
Unbeknown to Allardyce, the businessmen were undercover reporters and he was being filmed as part of a 10-month Telegraph investigation that separately unearthed widespread evidence of bribery and corruption in British football.
Sam Allardyce explained to the businessmen how they could circumvent FA rules which prohibit third parties ‘owning’ players.
During Allardyce’s meetings with the reporters he also:
Criticised his predecessor Roy Hodgson, dubbing him “Woy” and saying that he “hasn’t got the personality” for public speaking;
Said England’s players were underperforming because they had a “psychological barrier” and “can’t cope”;
Suggested that players who were not being played for their club should not be picked for England;
Described the FA decision to redevelop Wembley as “stupid”.
The English Football Association is currently investigating allegations which may lead to the sack of the manager.
Before he had even held his first training session as England’s new head coach, Allardyce negotiated a deal with men purporting to represent a Far East firm that was hoping to profit from the Premier League’s billion-pound transfer market.
He agreed to travel to Singapore and Hong Kong as an ambassador and explained to the “businessmen” how they could circumvent Football Association rules which prohibit third parties “owning” players.
Unbeknown to Allardyce, the businessmen were undercover reporters and he was being filmed as part of a 10-month Telegraph investigation that separately unearthed widespread evidence of bribery and corruption in British football.
Sam Allardyce explained to the businessmen how they could circumvent FA rules which prohibit third parties ‘owning’ players.
During Allardyce’s meetings with the reporters he also:
Criticised his predecessor Roy Hodgson, dubbing him “Woy” and saying that he “hasn’t got the personality” for public speaking;
Said England’s players were underperforming because they had a “psychological barrier” and “can’t cope”;
Suggested that players who were not being played for their club should not be picked for England;
Described the FA decision to redevelop Wembley as “stupid”.
The English Football Association is currently investigating allegations which may lead to the sack of the manager.