2006 allegations of corruption in English football

2006 allegations of corruption in English football

In 2006, several allegations were made of corruption in English football by sources inside and outside of the game.

Allegations

January - Managers

In January 2006, Then Luton Town manager Mike Newell and then-manager of Queens Park Rangers Ian Holloway alleged that backhanders (bribes) were rife in the sport [cite news | title =FA to meet Newell over bung claim | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-01-12 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/4605184.stm| accessdate =2006-09-20] [cite news | title =Newell optimistic following talks | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-01-20 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/4631368.stm| accessdate =2006-09-20] [cite news | title =Holloway cynical about FA action | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-01-23 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4630844.stm| accessdate =2006-09-20]
The Football Association subsequently held talks with the two managers and established an enquiry.

eptember - BBC Panorama

On 19 September, 2006 the BBC current affairs television programme Panorama broadcast a special investigation into corruption in English football which had begun filming in August 2005.

"Undercover: Football's Dirty Secrets" included footage shown of meetings between agents, managers and high ranking football club officials, filmed undercover by Knut auf dem Berge, a freelance coach posing as a prospective football agent. This footage purported to show agents and managers accepting backhanders and illegally "tapping-up" players under contract to other clubs.

These allegations included:

* That Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce, and his agent son Craig were alleged to have accepted "bungs" (bribes) from agents for signing certain players. Two agents, Teni Yerima and Peter Harrison, were secretly filmed, each separately claiming that they had paid Allardyce through his son. Allardyce denies ever taking, or asking for, a bung. [cite news | title =Agents claim manager was bribed | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-09-19 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5360700.stm | accessdate =2006-09-19]

* Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp is secretly filmed discussing the possibility of buying the Blackburn Rovers captain Andy Todd with agent Peter Harrison, which is illegal under FA rules. However, the programme merely showed Harrison approaching Redknapp and asking direct questions which Redknapp answered.

* Then Portsmouth first-team coach Kevin Bond, first team coach of Newcastle United when the programme was aired, is secretly recorded admitting he would consider discussing receiving payments from a proposed new agency involving agent Peter Harrison. This was the programme's description; it did not seem explicit from the extract broadcast. Bond was suspended and then sacked by Newcastle as a result of the allegations.

* Chelsea director of youth football Frank Arnesen is secretly filmed making an illegal approach or "tapping up" Middlesbrough's England youth star 15-year-old Nathan Porritt. Arnesen offers a fee of £150,000 spread over three years as an incentive to move, although he had been advised that it was 99.9% certain that Porritt would leave Middlesbrough. Both of these allegations are illegal under FA rules. Officials from Liverpool and Newcastle United were also implicated in attempts to sign Porritt. [cite news | title =Time to make a ruling that tapping up be made legal | publisher = The Guardian | date = 2006-09-21 | url = http://football.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329581983-103,00.html | accessdate =2006-11-08]

* Agent Peter Harrison told the undercover reporter that, to secure transfer deals with Bolton, he bribed Sam Allardyce by offering to pay his son Craig. Harrison is a FIFA-listed agent, who is based in the north-east of England.

* That three different Bolton transfer signings involved secret payments from agents to Craig Allardyce, some when he was contractually banned from doing any Bolton deals. Panorama alleged Bolton's transfer signings of defender Tal Ben Haim, midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata and goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi involved secret payments from agents to Craig Allardyce. Allardyce's son quit the agency business in summer 2006, and has admitted in newspaper interviews that his working as an agent might have cost his father the chance of becoming England manager.

* Agent Charles Collymore, is secretly filmed in the Panorama film, saying: "There's managers out there who take bungs all day long. I would say to you comfortably there's six to eight managers we could definitely approach and they'd be up for this no problem." Later, Collymore is named publicly for the first time by Luton Town manager Mike Newell as the agent who offered him an illegal payment. Collymore also represents England cricketer Simon Jones.

The programme also claimed to have set up a 'sting' involving handing a cash payment to an unnamed Premiership manager, but the alleged manager did not turn up at the rendezvous. The programme claimed that he had been scared off by Mike Newell's claims being revealed that same day.

eptember - Telegraph Sport

On 26 September, the Telegraph alleged that an unlicensed agent was paid in the deal to bring Tal Ben Haim to Bolton Wanderers. When the Israeli international moved to England, agent Jamie Hart - the official middle man - was paid a fee by Bolton. But he has now confirmed that unlicensed agent David Abu also received a cut of the fee for the role he played in the deal. Allardyce's son, Craig, a key protagonist in the Panorama documentary, also received a payment but when quizzed on such payments Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside confirmed he had no such knowledge [ [http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=418332&CPID=8&clid=30&lid=3&title=Bolton+in+fresh+transfer+probe Sky Sports | Football | Premier League | Bolton Wanderers ] ]

Reaction

On 3 March, 2006, The Football Association established an enquiry to be headed by Lord Stevens, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and former head of an enquiry into corruption in cricket [cite news | title =Ex-police chief leads bungs probe | publisher = BBC News | date = 2006-03-03 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4769606.stm| accessdate =2006-09-19] . The initial findings of Stevens' report were announced in December 2006.

On 20 September, The Football Association asked the BBC to provide all of the collected evidence and announced that it would investigate these allegations. It was to investigate allegations of illegal approaches involving Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, along with allegations "relating to players' agents and connected activities" involving Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce, son Craig Allardyce, Newcastle United assistant manager Kevin Bond, and agents Charles Collymore and Peter Harrison [cite news | title =FA Statement re allegations | publisher = The FA | date = 2006-09-20 | url =http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsFromTheFA/Postings/2006/09/FAStatement.htm| accessdate =2006-09-20] .

All of those accused of impropriety have denied all allegations arising from the programme, including:

* Sam Allardyce: said that he had placed the matter in the hands of his lawyers [cite news | title =Allardyce denies Panorama claims | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-09-20 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5363942.stm| accessdate =2006-09-20] . He also confessed: "“As a father it is painful to watch your son talk tall and exaggerate his influence for financial gain.”" [cite news | title =Big Sam: it's painful | publisher = The Sun | date = 2006-09-21 | url =http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006430655,00.html| accessdate =2006-09-21] On 25 September he announced that after lengthy discussions his lawyers had advised that "I have a very strong case in relation to the programme, and I am planning to sue the BBC over the false and highly damaging allegations. I have therefore instructed my lawyers to prepare my case against the BBC." Allardyce added that he would discuss the matter with Bolton chairman, Phil Gartside, as well as his wife before he took any final decision [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5378842.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Allardyce planning to sue the BBC ] ] . However, as of November 2007, no legal action had been started.

* Kevin Bond: said that he intended to sue the BBC for libel [cite news | title =Bond to sue BBC over bung claims | publisher = BBC | date = 2006-09-20 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/5365570.stm| accessdate =2006-09-20] . Newcastle United placed him on gardening leave following the broadcast, and terminated his contract on 26 September. In response, Bond issued a statement claiming that Newcastle had sacked him without investigating properly [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/5378844.stm BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Newcastle United | Newcastle terminate Bond contract ] ] [ [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2006440549,00.html Magpies axe Bond | The Sun |HomePage|Sport|Football ] ] . Bond was employed again within a month, as manager of AFC Bournemouth. However, as of November 2007, no legal action had been started. The League Managers Association has demanded hard evidence: "As the organisation which represents managers we were very disappointed with the programme. There was a complete lack of substance and evidence, and if the BBC has any hard evidence it should give it to the Football Association." [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5363048.stm BBC SPORT | Football | LMA wants evidence from Panorama ] ] HM Revenue & Customs has also indicated it will look into the claims [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/5363048.stm BBC SPORT | Football | LMA wants evidence from Panorama ] ]

tevens report

It was announced on October 2 2006, that Lord Stevens' inquiry into football corruption, conducted with [http://www.quest.co.uk Quest Ltd] , has been extended by two months to investigate 39 transfers involving eight clubs. On 20 December 2006, Stevens presented his preliminary report, which found that the level of corruption within English football was not as high as had been anticipated, there were several causes for concern [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6192665.stm BBC SPORT | Football | Bung inquiry targets 17 transfers ] ] . 17 transfer deals were still subject to further scrutiny.

On 15 June 2007, Lord Stevens' inquiry issued its final report which raised concerns over issues involving 17 player transfers, involving five clubs, three managers and numerous agents and other third parties. In summary, the report stated: "“there is no evidence of any irregular payments to club officials or players, and they are identified only as a consequence of the outstanding issues the inquiry has with the agents involved”." [cite news | title = What Stevens said about each club | publisher = www.telegraph.co.uk| date = 2007-06-16| url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2007/06/16/sfnste116.xml
accessdate =2007-06-17
] .

Details of one of the suspect transfer deals was withheld. The other transfers about which there are unresolved issues are:


=Bolton Wanderers=

*Ali Al-Habsi (Free transfer from Lyn Oslo - 7 January 2006)
*Tal Ben Haim (Free transfer from Maccabi - 29 July 2004)
*Blessing Kaku (Free transfer from F.C. Ashdod - 24 August 2004)
*Julio Correia (Free transfer from Real Valladolid - 25 July 2004)

There were also unanswered concerns regarding the involvement of Craig Allardyce in a number of transactions. "“The inquiry remains concerned at the conflict of interest that it believes existed between Craig Allardyce, his father Sam Allardyce - the then manager at Bolton - and the club itself.”"


=Chelsea=

*Didier Drogba (£24 million from Marseille - 20 July 2004)
*Petr Čech (£7 million from Rennes - 1 June 2004)
*Michael Essien (£24.4 million from Lyon - 19 August 2005)

"“Agent Pinhas Zahavi has failed to co-operate fully with the inquiry . There was an initial failure to disclose his involvement in a number of transfers but, more seriously, he has failed to provide the inquiry with complete bank statements due to the confidential nature of them. There has also been a lack of responsiveness by Zahavi. There remains questions relating to his relationship with, and payments to, licensed agent Barry Silkman, and with Silkman's failure to initially disclose his involvement in all the transactions in which he has received fees.”"


=Middlesbrough=

*Fabio Rochemback (Free transfer from Sporting Lisbon - 31 August 2005)
*Yakubu Aiyegbeni (£7.5 million from Portsmouth - 4 July 2005)

The statement relating to Zahavi and Silkman above also relates to the two Middlesbrough transfers.


=Newcastle United=

*Albert Luque (£8.5 million from Deportivo La Coruña26 August 2005)
*Emre Belözoğlu (£3.8 million from Inter Milan14 July 2005)
*Jean-Alain Boumsong (£8 million from Rangers1 January 2005)
*Amdy Faye (£2 million from Portsmouth25 January 2005)

"“There remains inconsistencies in evidence provided by Graeme Souness — a former manager of the club — and Kenneth Shepherd”" (son of the Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd) "“— apparently acting in an undefined role but not as a club official — as to their respective roles in transfer negotiations.”" Souness issued a statement denying any wrong-doing: "I cannot understand why my name features in this report. I volunteered full information to Quest as a witness and I have heard nothing further from them." [cite news | title = Stevens puts spotlight on the agents | publisher = www.telegraph.co.uk| date = 2007-06-16| url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=4BZTTXB2IWKDBQFIQMFSFF4AVCBQ0IV0?xml=/sport/2007/06/16/sfnbon116.xml
accessdate =2007-06-17
] The Stevens enquiry then issued a clarification: "We wish to make it clear that inconsistencies did not exist within the evidence given by Graeme Souness to Quest concerning his role in transfers covered by the Inquiry during his time as manager of Newcastle United FC and neither the Premier League nor do Quest have any concerns in this regard" [ [http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=980622007 Edinburgh Evening News ] ] .

"“The inquiry has been unable to obtain the co-operation of the agent Ahmet Bulut”" in connection with the Emre transfer.

"“The inquiry is still awaiting clarification from agent Willie McKay”" in connection with the Boumsong and Faye transfers. However, Quest later issued the following statement: "Further to the key findings from the final Quest report published on 15 June 2007 by the Premier League, Quest would like to emphasise that, in that report, it was clear that no evidence of irregular payments was found in the transfers in the inquiry period which involved the agent Willie McKay. Quest would also like to thank Mr McKay for his cooperation with the inquiry." [ [http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2207222,00.html Quest finds no irregular payments in McKay deals | News | Guardian Unlimited Football ] ]

In relation to the Luque transfer: "“The inquiry still has unanswered questions relating to possible payments made by agent Francis Martin, who Newcastle officials believed was working for the selling club.”"


=Portsmouth=

*Collins Mbesuma (Free transfer from Kaizer Chiefs1 August 2005)
*Benjani Mwaruwari (£4.1 million from Auxerre6 January 2006)
*Aliou Cissé (£300,000 from Birmingham City6 August 2004)

"“Agent Willie McKay acted for the selling club, Auxerre, in the transfer of Benjani and for Portsmouth in the transfer of Cisse and, for the same reason as above”" {still awaiting clarification) "“the inquiry is not prepared to clear these transfers at this stage.”" However, as mentioned above, the enquiry issued a further statement saying that no evidence of irregular payments had been found in the transfers in the inquiry period which involved McKay and thanking McKay for his co-operation.

"“In relation to Benjani’s transfer, the inquiry also has identified concerns regarding the role of (agent) Teni Yerima and (third party) Ralph N’Komo.”"

With regard to manager Harry Redknapp, his ownership of a racehorse named "Double Fantasy" thought to have been given to him by the agent Willie McKay, has aroused some suspicion. Redknapp told the inquiry that it was possible that he did own the horse but insisted that he had not made any money out of it because the horse was a failure and never won a race.

November 2007 arrests

On 28 November 2007 it was reported by BBC News that Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp Managing Director Peter Storrie, former Portsmouth and now Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric, former Portsmouth footballer Amdy Faye and agent Willie McKay had been arrested by City of London Police in relation to the ongoing inquiries into allegations of corruption in football. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7116823.stm Redknapp held in football inquiry] BBC News - 28 November, 2007] [ [http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2218469,00.html Redknapp arrested in corruption investigation] Guardian Unlimited - 28 November, 2007]

2008 investigations

City of London Police continued an ongoing investigation in 2008, including a search of Birmingham City Football Club in March. Cite news
url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1035372/City-London-police-set-interview-Birmingham-chairman-corruption-probe.html
title=City of London police set to interview Birmingham chairman as part of corruption probe
date=2008-07-15
accessdate=2008-08-14
work=Daily Mail
] Cite news
url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/apr/16/newsstory.sport
title=Sullivan slams police over 'corruption' investigation
date=2008-04-26
author=David Conn
work=The Guardian
] Cite news
url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jul/13/ukcrime.premierleague1
title=Football corruption dossier handed over to prosecutors
work=The Observer
date=2008-07-13
] [Cite web
url=http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/CityPolice/Media/News/twoarrestedfootballinvestigation.htm
title=News release: Two arrested in football corruption investigation
date=2008-04-10
publisher=City of London Police
] Birmingham officials Karren Brady and David Sullivan were arrested, interviewed and released on bail in April; David Gold and Julia Shelton were interviewed in July.Cite news
url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/jul/24/birminghamcityfc.championship?gusrc=rss&feed=football
title=Gold faces further questioning in corruption investigation
date=2008-07-24
work=The Guardian
author=Stuart James
]
Pascal Chimbonda was released from bail in June, effectively clearing him of wrongdoing. [Cite news
url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/06/08/manual_152357.html
work=Sporting Life
title=CHIMBONDA QUESTIONS ARREST
date=2008-06-08
] [Cite web
url=http://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/CityPolice/Media/News/footballinvestigationupdate.htm
title=News release: Football investigation update
date=2008-06-06
publisher=City of London Police
] "The Guardian" reported in July that there is no indication that decisions have been made to charge any of the people connected with the investigation, and also reported complaints in April by David Sullivan that the 2008 investigations focussed on tax affairs, and not fraud or corruption.

References


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