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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2016/sep/27/englands-sam-allardyce-facing-fa-investigation-after-undercover-sting-live
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| England's Sam Allardyce in crunch FA talks after undercover sting – live | England's Sam Allardyce in crunch FA talks after undercover sting – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.43pm BST | |
| 14:43 | |
| New information released by the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday claims Sam Allardyce also complained about the United Kingdom’s tax system, taking aim at HM Revenue and Customs. | |
| The England manager was reported to have said: “The most corrupt business in our country would be what? You’ll be shocked when I tell you this - HMRC. | |
| “They fly out tax demands without any real knowledge whether they should or shouldn’t. They just put ‘em out willy-nilly and if you pay them, people s*** themselves and pay them. | |
| “Then they go to their accountant and say, and if you’ve got a s*** accountant, the account s**** himself and says, well you must owe them, you had better pay it.” | |
| Exclusive: Sam Allardyce claimed HMRC is 'the most corrupt business in Britain' #football4sale https://t.co/QZPrvA5Gh7 pic.twitter.com/OwAncqXEtc | |
| 2.28pm BST | 2.28pm BST |
| 14:28 | 14:28 |
| Wondering what third party ownership is and why it's been banned? Thought not, but here's a video we made in 2014: https://t.co/w9k3vmuZr7 | Wondering what third party ownership is and why it's been banned? Thought not, but here's a video we made in 2014: https://t.co/w9k3vmuZr7 |
| 1.48pm BST | 1.48pm BST |
| 13:48 | 13:48 |
| One question which will arise from the Sam Allardyce story is the ethical one about using undercover reporters to gather information. The Guardian’s media commentator Roy Greenslade has given his verdict and thinks the Telegraph was justified in the sting operation it carried out. | One question which will arise from the Sam Allardyce story is the ethical one about using undercover reporters to gather information. The Guardian’s media commentator Roy Greenslade has given his verdict and thinks the Telegraph was justified in the sting operation it carried out. |
| My unhesitating answer, based on my reading of the newspaper’s articles (and not on any extra inside knowledge) is yes. | My unhesitating answer, based on my reading of the newspaper’s articles (and not on any extra inside knowledge) is yes. |
| There is a clear public interest justification in knowing that a man employed by the Football Association is offering advice on how to circumvent its rules. | There is a clear public interest justification in knowing that a man employed by the Football Association is offering advice on how to circumvent its rules. |
| The Sam Allardyce story puts the journalistic use of subterfuge under the spotlight once more. Was the Daily Telegraph right to launch what amounts to a sting operation to expose the England football manager? | The Sam Allardyce story puts the journalistic use of subterfuge under the spotlight once more. Was the Daily Telegraph right to launch what amounts to a sting operation to expose the England football manager? |
| You can read the full story here. | You can read the full story here. |
| Why the Daily Telegraph's Sam Allardyce sting was justified https://t.co/cuwUBV44WV pic.twitter.com/9vSvDPbwAx | Why the Daily Telegraph's Sam Allardyce sting was justified https://t.co/cuwUBV44WV pic.twitter.com/9vSvDPbwAx |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.00pm BST | at 2.00pm BST |
| 1.38pm BST | 1.38pm BST |
| 13:38 | 13:38 |
| West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has said she is “saddened and disappointed” at the allegations against Allardyce. Brady worked alongside the England manager when he was Hammers manager from 2011 to 2015. | West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has said she is “saddened and disappointed” at the allegations against Allardyce. Brady worked alongside the England manager when he was Hammers manager from 2011 to 2015. |
| “This is a man who spent his whole life trying to get that job and got it in his 60s,” she told BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat. “And what a great shame if he loses that job through non-footballing reasons. And I think he’ll be disappointed in himself.” | “This is a man who spent his whole life trying to get that job and got it in his 60s,” she told BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat. “And what a great shame if he loses that job through non-footballing reasons. And I think he’ll be disappointed in himself.” |
| 1.35pm BST | 1.35pm BST |
| 13:35 | 13:35 |
| Arsène Wenger has said he hopes Sam Allardyce can keep his job as the England manager heads to Wembley for talks with Football Association executives about his future following the widely publicised comments he made to undercover reporters. | Arsène Wenger has said he hopes Sam Allardyce can keep his job as the England manager heads to Wembley for talks with Football Association executives about his future following the widely publicised comments he made to undercover reporters. |
| In response to a question requesting his comments about the Telegraph story, the Arsenal manager said: “I can’t tell you anything about Sam because I don’t know. I really haven’t read the story. I wouldn’t like to come out on that as the story is too heavy. Let Sam defend himself and just hope he will clear his name.” | In response to a question requesting his comments about the Telegraph story, the Arsenal manager said: “I can’t tell you anything about Sam because I don’t know. I really haven’t read the story. I wouldn’t like to come out on that as the story is too heavy. Let Sam defend himself and just hope he will clear his name.” |
| Wenger was more robust on the issue of FA rules which stop third parties “owning” football players’ economic rights. “Yes it should not be allowed,” he said. “I have fought against it for a long long time. Clubs should possess 100% of their players. | Wenger was more robust on the issue of FA rules which stop third parties “owning” football players’ economic rights. “Yes it should not be allowed,” he said. “I have fought against it for a long long time. Clubs should possess 100% of their players. |
| “I could write a book about transfers, transfers done in a proper way,” Wenger added. Every transfer is a story, every time you renew a contract it’s a long story. You want the truth always to come out but for our fans I can say they can sleep without any problem. For the rest I don’t know I just care about our own transfers.” | “I could write a book about transfers, transfers done in a proper way,” Wenger added. Every transfer is a story, every time you renew a contract it’s a long story. You want the truth always to come out but for our fans I can say they can sleep without any problem. For the rest I don’t know I just care about our own transfers.” |
| 1.07pm BST | 1.07pm BST |
| 13:07 | 13:07 |
| Chico Flores is having the last laugh on Twitter over the Sam Allardyce affair. Back in 2013 the former Swansea defender was laughed at by Allardyce, who was then West Ham manager, when the player went down rather dramatically after a clash with the Hammers’ Carlton Cole. Here’s footage of the incident from the Clare Balding show on BT Sport. This morning Flores couldn’t help but have a dig. | Chico Flores is having the last laugh on Twitter over the Sam Allardyce affair. Back in 2013 the former Swansea defender was laughed at by Allardyce, who was then West Ham manager, when the player went down rather dramatically after a clash with the Hammers’ Carlton Cole. Here’s footage of the incident from the Clare Balding show on BT Sport. This morning Flores couldn’t help but have a dig. |
| 😎 pic.twitter.com/0GckjawZqO | 😎 pic.twitter.com/0GckjawZqO |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.11pm BST | at 1.11pm BST |
| 12.40pm BST | 12.40pm BST |
| 12:40 | 12:40 |
| FA holding crisis talks | FA holding crisis talks |
| The Football Association hierarchy are holding a series of emergency meetings at Wembley to determine the future of the England manager, Sam Allardyce, after allegations he offered advice on how to circumvent the governing body’s rules on player transfers. | The Football Association hierarchy are holding a series of emergency meetings at Wembley to determine the future of the England manager, Sam Allardyce, after allegations he offered advice on how to circumvent the governing body’s rules on player transfers. |
| The FA’s recently appointed chairman, Greg Clarke, is speaking with the chief executive, Martin Glenn, to discuss the comments made by Allardyce to undercover reporters from the Daily Telegraph. The hierarchy are understood to be disturbed by the allegations, which were made in two meetings secretly filmed in London and Manchester and surfaced just 67 days after Allardyce had secured what he had claimed was his “dream job”. | The FA’s recently appointed chairman, Greg Clarke, is speaking with the chief executive, Martin Glenn, to discuss the comments made by Allardyce to undercover reporters from the Daily Telegraph. The hierarchy are understood to be disturbed by the allegations, which were made in two meetings secretly filmed in London and Manchester and surfaced just 67 days after Allardyce had secured what he had claimed was his “dream job”. |
| You can read the full story here. | You can read the full story here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.41pm BST | at 12.41pm BST |
| 12.23pm BST | 12.23pm BST |
| 12:23 | 12:23 |
| Sky Sports are reporting that Sam Allardyce is adamant his actions were not corrupt and that he was “badly advised” over his meeting with the reporters posing as Far East businessmen. The England manager has also told them he will be issuing an apology to his predecessor Roy Hodgson over remarks he made about him. | Sky Sports are reporting that Sam Allardyce is adamant his actions were not corrupt and that he was “badly advised” over his meeting with the reporters posing as Far East businessmen. The England manager has also told them he will be issuing an apology to his predecessor Roy Hodgson over remarks he made about him. |
| Sam Allardyce believes his comments ill advised but not corrupt, and he plans to apologise to Roy Hodgson for "deeply embarrassing" comments | Sam Allardyce believes his comments ill advised but not corrupt, and he plans to apologise to Roy Hodgson for "deeply embarrassing" comments |
| Allardyce will tell FA he was approached about giving speeches on motivation and management not football & told hacks he'd need FA approval | Allardyce will tell FA he was approached about giving speeches on motivation and management not football & told hacks he'd need FA approval |
| Allardyce will say he was asked to give opinion on 3rd party ownership but now understands as England manager he was wrong to offer opinion | Allardyce will say he was asked to give opinion on 3rd party ownership but now understands as England manager he was wrong to offer opinion |
| 12.07pm BST | 12.07pm BST |
| 12:07 | 12:07 |
| Allardyce heads for FA crunch talks | Allardyce heads for FA crunch talks |
| The Guardian has spoken to the chairman of the Football Association, Greg Clarke, who has confirmed that no decision has been taken on Sam Allardyce’s future. The England manager is understood to be on his way to Wembley where his future is being discussed by Clarke and FA chief executive Martin Glenn. | The Guardian has spoken to the chairman of the Football Association, Greg Clarke, who has confirmed that no decision has been taken on Sam Allardyce’s future. The England manager is understood to be on his way to Wembley where his future is being discussed by Clarke and FA chief executive Martin Glenn. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.32pm BST | at 12.32pm BST |
| 11.25am BST | 11.25am BST |
| 11:25 | 11:25 |
| Some reaction via Twitter to the Sam Allardyce sting and the fallout. | Some reaction via Twitter to the Sam Allardyce sting and the fallout. |
| We can get on our high horses about FIFA etc. but we have a large glass house of our own. | We can get on our high horses about FIFA etc. but we have a large glass house of our own. |
| The main problem for Sam Allardyce is that he appears to be giving advice on how to get around third party ownership rules. | The main problem for Sam Allardyce is that he appears to be giving advice on how to get around third party ownership rules. |
| One of Allardyce's biggest problems is - and always has been - the people he surrounds himself with. At the very least that needs addressing | One of Allardyce's biggest problems is - and always has been - the people he surrounds himself with. At the very least that needs addressing |
| 10.57am BST | 10.57am BST |
| 10:57 | 10:57 |
| Pressure group Transparency International have responded to the revelations overnight by suggesting that suspensions may be necessary. “We would expect the Football Association – and any clubs implicated – to launch an immediate and independent investigation in response to any substantiated allegations to help keep the game clean in this country,” stated their executive director Robert Barrington, whose full statement reads: | Pressure group Transparency International have responded to the revelations overnight by suggesting that suspensions may be necessary. “We would expect the Football Association – and any clubs implicated – to launch an immediate and independent investigation in response to any substantiated allegations to help keep the game clean in this country,” stated their executive director Robert Barrington, whose full statement reads: |
| These are extremely serious allegations. The scandals at FIFA have already shown how big money in football can lead to corruption. Further allegations are apparently to be set out by the Daily Telegraph over the coming days. We would expect the FA – and any clubs implicated – to launch an immediate and independent investigation in response to any substantiated allegations to help keep the game clean in this country. During such investigations, organisations typically suspend employees against whom there is credible evidence, and cooperate fully with the authorities if there has been wrongdoing. | These are extremely serious allegations. The scandals at FIFA have already shown how big money in football can lead to corruption. Further allegations are apparently to be set out by the Daily Telegraph over the coming days. We would expect the FA – and any clubs implicated – to launch an immediate and independent investigation in response to any substantiated allegations to help keep the game clean in this country. During such investigations, organisations typically suspend employees against whom there is credible evidence, and cooperate fully with the authorities if there has been wrongdoing. |
| If there has been a breach of the Bribery Act, an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office should follow, and in such an investigation affected entities would come under scrutiny to demonstrate that they had in place adequate procedures to prevent bribery. The broadcasters and sponsors who pour money into the game should also be making sure that their sponsorship is not fuelling corruption.” | If there has been a breach of the Bribery Act, an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office should follow, and in such an investigation affected entities would come under scrutiny to demonstrate that they had in place adequate procedures to prevent bribery. The broadcasters and sponsors who pour money into the game should also be making sure that their sponsorship is not fuelling corruption.” |
| If no laws have been broken, then it is possible that the FA’s own code of conduct or code of ethics has been breached, and this in itself should be taken extremely seriously. Football fans expect that games will be played according to the rules, and that those who run the game should themselves be free of corruption. There should be no impunity for corruption, and those who love football will want the FA and any clubs involved to get to the bottom of these allegations and take appropriate action.” | If no laws have been broken, then it is possible that the FA’s own code of conduct or code of ethics has been breached, and this in itself should be taken extremely seriously. Football fans expect that games will be played according to the rules, and that those who run the game should themselves be free of corruption. There should be no impunity for corruption, and those who love football will want the FA and any clubs involved to get to the bottom of these allegations and take appropriate action.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.58am BST | at 10.58am BST |
| 10.42am BST | 10.42am BST |
| 10:42 | 10:42 |
| Sam Allardyce could end his England career with a 100% record. If he has to make an exit who can we expect to be in the running for the job, which, if you need reminding, is the best-paid managerial post in world football. The odds with all the bookmakers are supplied here by Oddschecker and these are the leading candidates according to the people at Paddy Power. | Sam Allardyce could end his England career with a 100% record. If he has to make an exit who can we expect to be in the running for the job, which, if you need reminding, is the best-paid managerial post in world football. The odds with all the bookmakers are supplied here by Oddschecker and these are the leading candidates according to the people at Paddy Power. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.26am BST | at 11.26am BST |
| 10.23am BST | 10.23am BST |
| 10:23 | 10:23 |
| One question our useful feature doesn’t answer is what exactly is the England boss drinking in the picture on the front page of the Telegraph. The beverage is in a pint glass but it’s definitely not beer and doesn’t look like lager. Football365 are suggesting it’s wine and have a terrace chant already prepared. | One question our useful feature doesn’t answer is what exactly is the England boss drinking in the picture on the front page of the Telegraph. The beverage is in a pint glass but it’s definitely not beer and doesn’t look like lager. Football365 are suggesting it’s wine and have a terrace chant already prepared. |
| Allardyce met possible business partners; he drank a pint of wine. Allardyce met possible business partners; he drank a pint of wine. Allard | Allardyce met possible business partners; he drank a pint of wine. Allardyce met possible business partners; he drank a pint of wine. Allard |
| 10.17am BST | 10.17am BST |
| 10:17 | 10:17 |
| What is Allardyce accused of? | What is Allardyce accused of? |
| Colleague Matthew Weaver has put together one of those very useful Q&As summarising the key issues arising from the Telegraph story. You can find out what Sam Allardyce is accused of here and what the implications are. | Colleague Matthew Weaver has put together one of those very useful Q&As summarising the key issues arising from the Telegraph story. You can find out what Sam Allardyce is accused of here and what the implications are. |
| 10.07am BST | 10.07am BST |
| 10:07 | 10:07 |
| The experts have spoken ... and this one’s too close to call. The big guns from the sports desks in Fleet Street (some shorthand terms will never die) have had their say and the consensus appears to be that it’s “50-50” whether Big Sam stays or he has to go. | The experts have spoken ... and this one’s too close to call. The big guns from the sports desks in Fleet Street (some shorthand terms will never die) have had their say and the consensus appears to be that it’s “50-50” whether Big Sam stays or he has to go. |
| 8.56am BST | 8.56am BST |
| 08:56 | 08:56 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| England football manager Sam Allardyce is facing an investigation by the Football Association, only two months after starting what he described as his dream job, following a newspaper sting in which he was secretly taped negotiating a £400,000 deal with reporters posing as Far East businessmen. | England football manager Sam Allardyce is facing an investigation by the Football Association, only two months after starting what he described as his dream job, following a newspaper sting in which he was secretly taped negotiating a £400,000 deal with reporters posing as Far East businessmen. |
| Crucially, Allardyce was caught on camera giving advice on how to “get round rules” about third-party ownership of players. In footage, filmed by an undercover Daily Telegraph investigations team, Allardyce says it is “not a problem” to bypass the rules introduced by the FA in 2008. | Crucially, Allardyce was caught on camera giving advice on how to “get round rules” about third-party ownership of players. In footage, filmed by an undercover Daily Telegraph investigations team, Allardyce says it is “not a problem” to bypass the rules introduced by the FA in 2008. |
| The FA has made no comment so far but has asked the newspaper for the full transcripts of the secretly taped recordings and is awaiting a response. FA officials are reportedly due to assess the allegations at a meeting at Wembley later today. | The FA has made no comment so far but has asked the newspaper for the full transcripts of the secretly taped recordings and is awaiting a response. FA officials are reportedly due to assess the allegations at a meeting at Wembley later today. |
| Allardyce was also caught on tape making several remarks that will go down badly with his employers, mocking his predecessor Roy Hodgson by referring to him as “Woy”, labelling the FA’s rebuilding of Wembley as “stupid” and describing Gary Neville, Hodgson’s assistant, as “the wrong influence”. | Allardyce was also caught on tape making several remarks that will go down badly with his employers, mocking his predecessor Roy Hodgson by referring to him as “Woy”, labelling the FA’s rebuilding of Wembley as “stupid” and describing Gary Neville, Hodgson’s assistant, as “the wrong influence”. |
| Some commentators are already saying it it difficult to see Allardyce surviving in his new post. Certainly, many will question the wisdom of the FA in appointing someone who was previously accused of accepting bungs in secret filming conducted by investigators from the BBC’s Panorama programme and who already appears to be wanting to cash in on his extremely well-paid £3m per annum position. | Some commentators are already saying it it difficult to see Allardyce surviving in his new post. Certainly, many will question the wisdom of the FA in appointing someone who was previously accused of accepting bungs in secret filming conducted by investigators from the BBC’s Panorama programme and who already appears to be wanting to cash in on his extremely well-paid £3m per annum position. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.48am BST | at 9.48am BST |