League Managers Association tells The Telegraph to release evidence of alleged corruption immediately

The League Managers Association has “urged” The Telegraph to release the full transcripts of their undercover investigation into alleged corruption in British football after revealing that the newspaper are yet to hand over their evidence to the Football Association.

The Telegraph has already confirmed that it will give full transcripts of undercover recordings to the FA, with Sam Allardyce resigning from his role as England manager as a result of the investigation.

On Tuesday night, it was claimed that eight current and former Premier League managers had been accused of taking illegal payments, known as ‘bungs’, during their careers, while yesterday’s revelations accused Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino of alleged corruption.

Furthermore, the newspaper appeared to capture the moment that Barnsley assistant manager Tommy Wright accepted an alleged £5,000 payment in return of signing players part-owned by a fake Far East firm, with representatives of the investment business actually undercover reporters.

However, the LMA has accused The Telegraph of delaying the process of a full investigation into the allegations by not handing over their evidence, and they have called for material to be given to the FA “unedited and unconditionally” to prevent any further hold ups.

An LMA statement read on Thursday: “Following further revelations by The Telegraph and a follow up LMA meeting with The FA this morning, the LMA remains extremely concerned about allegations made against a number of managers and individuals in the game.

“Alongside The FA, and the other principal stakeholders in the game, we want to fully investigate any and all substantive allegations of corruption, quickly and comprehensively. Very disappointingly, this process is being delayed as The Telegraph is yet to provide to The FA, as requested, full and complete unconditional disclosure of all the information it has.

“We urge The Telegraph to provide full disclosure of all its information relating to the allegations, including all recordings, transcripts and full details of how the information was obtained, to The FA, immediately. This information should not be provided selectively, but unedited and unconditionally, in order that a fully comprehensive investigation can be expedited.”

Hasselbaink and Wright have released statements to deny any wrongdoing and reject the allegations, while Leeds United said on Wednesday night that the accusations were a “non-story” and claimed that Cellino remained with the rules and regulations determined by the FA.

Allardyce meanwhile resigned as England manager on Tuesday night, having been captured negotiating lucrative deals for key note speeches in the Far East and also advising fake investors how to get around FA regulations on third-party player ownership.

open image in gallery

Speaking to reporters outside of his Bolton home on Wednesday after his resignation, Allardyce said: “On reflection it was a silly thing to do but I helped out someone I have known for 30 years.

“It was an error in judgement and I paid the consequences. Entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that. The agreement was done very amicably with the FA and I apologise to those and all concerned in the unfortunate position I've put myself in.

“I have a confidentiality agreement and I can't answer any more questions. I am going to go and reflect on it. I would like to wish Gareth [Southgate, England caretaker manager] and all of the England lads the best.”