The BCC tonight is reporting that Bolton manager Sam Allardyce, a former candidate to coach the England national team, is involved in a transfer bribe scandal. Two agents —Teni Yerima and Peter Harrison — claim to have made the payments (nicknamed "bungs") to Allardyce to secure transfers. The allegations follow the claims of Luton Town manager Mike Newell, who said freelance agent Charles Collymore offered him money as well. In addition, the BBC fingered Southampton manager Harry Redknapp and Chelsea's Frank Arnsen.
The news comes on the heels of a report detailing that Newcastle United lied to a VAT and Duties commission about how much money they had spent on transfers and agents.
In other news, Jack Warner has struck back at allegations he touted World Cup tickets, claiming he was set up, and issuing a press release stating that he would be filing a defamation lawsuit. Warner has been a pivotal figure in the FIFA government under Sepp Blatter, and is no stranger to controversy. For a stomach-turning look at just how in the muck Warner apparently is, see Andrew Jennings' excellent book Foul, which is currently unavailable in the USA. And go try to find a copy of the book "Badfellas" by Andrew Tomlinson and John Sugden. It's riveting stuff for FIFA wonks.
After all of the secrecy and suspense regarding the build-up to the Panorama investigative show, I have to say that I was a little disappointed regarding the scandals that were revealed.
To me, the biggest story was the evidence of Chelsea's tapping up of the Middlesbrough player.
Sure the bungs involving Allardyce are pretty blatant, but Big Sam will probably escape with just a slap on the wrist (and, if anything, his son is in more hot water).
This news comes as no surprise, it is sad, but I guess we expect this stuff to happen. These guys are as bad as politicians here in the US and the corporate barons. Jack W. should be put in a stockade!
On another note, I posted the other day to Bobby McManons blog about Michelle Lissel leaving for Major League Soccer. I wasn't gushing about how great she was like all the guys there, in fact, I said she was just a text reader and a pretty face. I don't think she was much of a reporter, but more a reader. Is it possible she was fired or let go by FSW? I posted that question and they removed my comment? I guess if you don't say nice things, they erase you.
Any insight? You seem in touch with all thatgoes on.
Is it possible that they removed your post because there is no reason to slander somebody's good name for no reason other than ridiculous speculation?
Michelle is a well liked and respected TV personality that obviously cares about her work and her co-workers. That much is evident if you've ever watched the show.
You obviously don't know anything about the FSWR because they only have a staff of around 10 people, including the hosts, that produce the entire program. Michelle helped to produce and edit the shows, besides her work on the air. She has covered the US Soccer team and reported for a month from the world's largest sporting event, the FIFA WORLD CUP.
I have to agree with MRD; there's no truth — nor should there be any reason to speculate — that Michelle left FSC for any other reason than for her desire to have a different challenge at this stage of her career. I, for one, look forward to working with her at MLSE.
Michelle did fine. She was an okay commentator, not great, not terrible. The phone-in guys are much better, I wish they'd bury their personal laundry though.
As for the scandal, what can I say, I'm shocked and horrified, how could this possibly happen in Old Blighty ... say it ain't so Joe ... er ... Nigel . Seriously, is that all? Sanction the offenders and move on to stuff we really care about, like post-game bans for diving and acting ....
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