BBC to meet FA to discuss bungs evidence
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Your support makes all the difference.Officials from the Football Association and the BBC will meet on Monday to discuss the handover of any evidence of corruption collected by the Panorama documentary "Undercover: Football's Dirty Secrets".
The FA has made two formal requests for the BBC to hand over all the evidence - a spokesperson said the FA was "disappointed we have not had that full cooperation yet".
It is understood the Panorama team wants the FA and Premier League to make specific requests for information rather than pass over every piece of evidence. The programme-makers do not want to hand over material that may betray sources and specific methods used. The BBC did little to clarify the situation, saying only: "We'll look to co-operate within the normal processes and procedures. We've been talking to the Football Association and have arranged to meet on Monday."
Bolton's manager, Sam Allardyce, named in the programme, has already instructed his lawyers to take "appropriate action" to clear his name. Kevin Bond, who Panorama claimed showed interest in receiving illegal payments, has sued the BBC for libel. Liverpool are considering legal action over an allegation that they sought to "tap up" a Middlesbrough youth player.
Peter Harrison, the agent most prominent in the programme, said yesterday: "I shall be suing the BBC." He denied that he had ever paid bungs and claimed that all his comments to undercover reporters were "pub gossip and banter". He admits paying money to Allardyce's son, Craig, a former agent, but says this was legitimate.
* The Newcastle United full-back Celestine Babayaro has been banned for three games after admitting violent conduct following the clash with Dirk Kuyt during his club's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on Wednesday. Neither the referee, Mark Halsey, nor his officials saw the incident when Babayaro appeared to catch the Dutchman with his arm, but he was charged after disciplinary officials viewed video footage.
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