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.
JUVENTUS: relegated to Serie B, penalised 17 points + three days of diqualification. (Originally: relegated to B, penalised 30 points)
FIORENTINA: remain in Serie A, penalised 19 points (Originally: relegated to B, penalised 12 points)
LAZIO: remain in Serie A, penalised 11 points. (Originally: relegated to B, penalised 7 points)
AC MILAN: remain in Serie A, eligible for Champions Legauge play. Penalised 8 points (Originally, penalised 15 points)
In addition: Juventus gives up the title for 2004/05 and has no rank in the 2005/06 season. AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina were all penalised 30 points for the 05/06 season as well.
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