Something rotten in the state of football?

[Asterix, the former Gaul.]

Surely not?

The Football Association is investigating allegations England manager Sam Allardyce used his role to negotiate a £400,000 deal and offer advice on how to "get around" rules on player transfers.

The Telegraph claims to have footage from August of Allardyce meeting men claiming to represent a Far East firm where he appears to say third-party ownership rules can be avoided.

Third-party ownership, in which investment companies take a stake in the economic rights of players, was described as a form of "slavery" by Michel Platini, the former president of European football's governing body Uefa president.

[andyoxon]

Bring back Hoddle.   

[clarion]

I'm shocked.

[Tim Hall]

I'm shocked.

Inna Peter Lorre stylee?

[clarion]

Precisely that.  Shocked!

[simonp]

It's just not cricket.

[De Sisti]

Since clubs started paying agents the integrity of the game has disappeared. (imo)

[Exit Stage Left]

I'm shocked.

Inna Peter Lorre stylee?

Claud Rains surely.

[Asterix, the former Gaul.]

Sam Allardyce has left his post as England manager by mutual agreement with the Football Association after one match and 67 days in charge.

100% record in charge, mind.

[simonp]

Inevitable.

Don't they offer anti corruption training to these people? It's been a regular feature in my career and I'm in a position of tiny responsibility by comparison.

[Basil]

100% record in charge, mind.

 . Does that make him Ingerland's most successful manager ever?

[Tim Hall]

I'm shocked.

Inna Peter Lorre stylee?

Claud Rains surely.

Damn.Yes of course.

[spesh]

It would appear that it's not just a case of the Telegraph stinging Allardyce for shits, giggles and circulation - the elasticity of his morals was just one of the things that they uncovered in a long-running investigation...

The Telegraph began investigating corruption in English football last year after receiving information that specific managers, officials and agents were taking or receiving cash payments to secure player transfers. Over the coming days the Telegraph will detail how:

• The assistant manager of a high-profile football club accepted a £5,000 cash “bung”
• Ten managers were named by players’ agents as taking bribes to fix player transfers
• Two well-known managers discussed becoming ambassadors for the same fictitious firm as Sam Allardyce
• Another high-profile manager admitted his players broke FA rules by betting on their own games but he failed to report it
• A senior figure at a Premier League club helped undercover reporters to formulate a plan to bribe managers

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/26/exclusive-investigation-england-manager-sam-allardyce-for-sale/

Bring back Hoddle.   

I was going to suggest El Tel on the grounds that he was at least sane, but IIRC, he was a little shady on the business side.

So Potato Head it is, then, Graham Taylor... do we not like that? 

[TigaSefi]

Fat Sam is a prime candidate for the DOTD thread too! What a prized plum!!

[hatler]

Poor old Bournemouth. (I reckon.)

[Jaded]

Was listening to his career as England Manager unravel on the radio today as I drove through countries.

WTFF? Where do these morons come from?

Oh, UK Football.

[Mr Larrington]

I was going to suggest El Tel on the grounds that he was at least sane, but IIRC, he was a little shady on the business side.

So Potato Head it is, then, Graham Taylor... do we not like that? 

They'll probably try to tempt 'arry Redknapp, but he's a crook too.  I suggest someone who has played at a high level and has experience of running an organisation in the face of mammoth opposition.

(click to show/hide)

David Icke: England Manager

[Von Broad]

Shame. I was rather looking forward to Sam getting us to Russia in 2018 and showing those heavies over there how the movement of folding stuff between dodgy people is really done.

I am really quite shocked. Not at the subject of the 'sting' [pretty pedestrian stuff really], but at his bizarre lack of awareness about the situation he was in given the profile of his [dream] position. Interesting that it happened very soon after his appointment, before he'd even spoken to the players apparently! Guess one can only assume that for that moment in time, as far as he was concerned, it was just business as usual - normal conversation, few extra quid, ta very much, no problem.

Opps!

[hatler]

Perhaps this was why this was his 'dream job'.

[Andrij]

Trump to become England manager

[LEE]

£3,000,000 a year and all he had to do was keep his nose clean for a few years, lose a few vital games against sub-standard opposition, and he could have fucked-off, content in a job averagely done, like every other England boss since Alf Ramsey.

Some people are never rich enough though. 

[Peter]

Trump to become England manager

I'd accept that if he would promise not to be President of the USA.  You can't do any harm as England manager - it's all been done for you.

[LEE]

Trump to become England manager

I'd accept that if he would promise not to be President of the USA.  You can't do any harm as England manager - it's all been done for you.

He'd build a wall... and he'd get Mexicans to build it.

[Peter]

Excellent, Lee!

[bobb]

Well, he showed his true colours and has got what he deserved, but I'm never really comfortable with these undercover journalists though. They've set him up good and proper. Sure, Allardyce dug his own grave, but the journalists gave him the spade. Pretending to be people they're not and representing a business that doesn't exist is as morally dubious as Big Sam himself...