EIGHT CURRENT OR former Premier League football managers have been accused of taking kick-backs for player transfers, as part of a broader newspaper sting which led to England manager Sam Allardyce being axed.
Three agents were filmed discussing corruption in football and the use of illegal “bung” payments to sign players, which the Daily Telegraph said involved eight current or former Premier League managers and two second-tier Championship bosses.
Italian agent Giuseppe Pagliara said he opened Swiss bank accounts for managers and worked through intermediaries to cover the illegal payments.
“There’s one thing that I’ve always been able to rely on, and that is the greed of general managers,” he told an undercover reporter. The journalist met Pagliara over lunch at Manchester’s San Carlo restaurant, the newspaper said.
The Italian claimed one manager who had worked in the Premier League would use a code to ask if he would receive a cash injection: “Is there a little coffee for me, Pino?”
Football agent Dax Price claimed one manager would increase players’ wages and arrange for each of them to pay him a £4,000 (€4,640) monthly cut.
“It’s almost like corruption is just staring you in the face,” he was recorded saying.
A third agent, former Manchester United player Scott McGarvey, said he gave an associate £30,000 to secure a player transfer. He explained he would arrange payments through an account in Monaco.
The Daily Telegraph did not name the managers allegedly involved, while it stated the three agents repeated many of the same names. The newspaper said it has passed transcripts of the conversations to the English Football Association and the police.
Pagliara denied making payments to managers and a spokesman for McGarvey denied any wrongdoing, while Price said he would not respond to the investigation without further detail, the newspaper reported.
The allegations follow the departure last night of Allardyce as England manager, a day after the Daily Telegraph published footage of him discussing the banned system of third-party ownership of players.
Allardyce was also filmed negotiating lucrative speaking engagements in Asia and making damaging remarks about the FA and his predecessor Roy Hodgson.
The 61-year-old was axed just 67 days into the job as England manager, after he and the FA agreed his position had become untenable.
I think this will be one of the most anticipated munster games for quite a while. I’m really looking forward to it. Nothing on the line, everyone expecting a hammering given the preparation. Bring it on.
@Jim Demps: well said Jim. Nothing to loose and everything to gain. Munster Abu!
@Jim Demps: I was actually looking forward to the matches in SA too, especially to see how the fringe players were going to get on
@Jim Demps: so now that JGP and Lowe have improved so much, you’ve turned your attention on Harry Byrne here and also on YouTube comments on OTB. You sad man, disgrace to the great province of Munster.
@Phil Mc Donald: were all very proud of Jim in the great province of Munster.. he’s getting the keys to the tractor after his otb fame.. up the banner, Gwan Munster and Gwan Jim Demps ya ligind
@Jim Demps: 465 international caps and 11lions caps in this squad. All the academy lads are playing AIL since the start of the season and Ian Costello was coaching the Wasps last season, that has to account for something. Wasps are struggling with injuries. My money is on Munster.
One players misfortune is a another opportunity. Sometimes a team that is forced into changes comes out the better for it. Take Campbell and Bulter, they will probably be the starting full back and out half for the Irish u20 team this year. Wren was excellent with the u20’s 2 years ago and would probably have played a bit more for Munster only for injuries.
Can’t wait for this game. Feels like Munster have nothing to lose and will have to come out and play a bit which would be great. I love the premiership but it just doesn’t seem to be at the same level as a few years ago so be great to see what the young lads can do.
This pandemic is literally the best thing to happen to Munster in years! Forced to finally blood talented academy players over the last season or so has given Munster and Ireland some amazing prospects that in the previous 10 seasons or so, would have stagnated until 23 or so and now be pottering around in the RFU Championship. Now this crazy situation will fast track another batch! The good work Malone did in the academy is now coming to fruition. Pity he wasn’t “yes man” enough for Nucifora and van Graan. Still though, the bones of a proper squad appearing for the next 5-6 years.
@SomeGuy: in fairness to Munster, they have been blooding youngsters over the past few seasons, Coombes x 2, Crowley, Healy, Nash, Wycherley, Knox, Casey etc
Just can’t see this going well. Think we will be doing well to keep with them for 60 minutes but once our inexperienced bench comes on I fear the worst. I hope I’m wrong.
Can’t wait. Box kicks, no passing, no awareness of space. SUAF
Does anyone know if the players who are presently isolating in South Africa have to isolate for another 10 days when they get back to Ireland
@Kevin Ryan: Yes they do.
Great to see the AIL being used so much
Anyone know which players were left behind in S.A?