The Telegraph has revealed it will tonight name an individual at a Premier League club as part of it’s investigation into corruption in football.
The paper conducted a ten month long sting into the workings of the game at the top level and has been publishing their claims all week.
Already the paper’s claims have forced Sam Allardyce out of his job as England manager after just 67 days when he was filmed by undercover reporters discussing the FA’s third party ownership rules and criticising his predecessor Roy Hodgson.
And on Thursday Barnsley sacked assistant manager Tommy Wright after he was filmed allegedly accepting a £5,000 cash payment from a reporter posing as the representative of a fictitious far eastern company looking to invest in football.
And now the paper is set to name a Premier League club official in their latest revelation.
The paper’s news editor Mark Hughes tweeted this evening:
https://twitter.com/Hughes_Mark/status/781566877453680640
Followed by The Telegraph’s editor, Chris Evans:
Next in the @telegraph #football4sale investigation, we name an individual at a Premier League club
— Chris Evans Telegraph (@chrisevans1) September 29, 2016
There is currently no information on who the individual is, what club he or she is associated with, or what they are alleged to have done.
As well as Allardyce and Barnsley coach Wright, the investigation has also named QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The club responded by launching an internal investigation, but Hasselbaink himself denies any wrongdoing.
A club statement released on Thursday afternoon read:
‘The club can confirm that an internal investigation is ongoing following allegations made against QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in a national newspaper on Wednesday 28th September.
‘First and foremost, the club reiterates that we take these allegations very seriously.
‘As part of the investigation, CEO Lee Hoos and Director of Football Les Ferdinand both met with Hasselbaink this morning to interview him regarding his version of events.
‘Thereafter, a meeting took place at our Harlington training ground, whereby all players and staff were addressed by Hoos to explain the club’s stance.
‘As part of the ongoing investigation, the club will need to view an unedited version of the video footage and full transcript of the discussions that took place.
‘We appreciate the QPR fans want this issue dealt with as quickly as possible, and that is the club’s intention.
‘In the meantime, Hasselbaink and his staff are continuing to prepare the team for our Championship fixture against Fulham this weekend.’
On Wednesday Hasselbaink said:
‘I have today, through my lawyers, responded in full to the accusations levelled against me by The Telegraph.
‘I was approached by Mr McGarvey and Ms Newell of The Telegraph purporting to be players’ agents.
‘They offered me a fee to make a speech in Singapore. I do not see anything unusual in being offered to be paid to make a speech.
‘I did not make any promises in return. I did not ask QPR to purchase any of the players who were said to be managed by Mr McGarvey and Ms Newell and did not and would not recommend the purchase of a player for my personal gain. I deny any accusations of wrongdoing on my part.’
The paper also claims up to eight current or former Premier League managers are implicated in wrongdoing, but have yet to name any.
