ALLARDYCE DENIES PANORAMA CLAIMS

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has denied all allegations of corruption
levelled at him during a BBC Panorama programme. The film shows two agents
claiming they paid bungs - illegal payments - to Allardyce, who has asked his
lawyers to take "appropriate" steps. "Obviously I'm denying all allegations that
have been alleged against me. The matter's in the lawyers' hands and will be
resolved by due process," he said. "I have instructed my lawyers to take the
appropriate action."

Allardyce insisted he had been the innocent victim of the "greed" of others on
the programme. He said: "I am very angry at the lies told about me. The
individuals who appeared in the programme making accusations against me have
already confirmed in writing to my lawyers they lied to the BBC.
"They lied in the hope of being able to make millions offered by the BBC
reporter to buy their sports agency business. "Those individuals never thought
their lies would be exposed in the way they have been and have apologised to me.
"As a result of their greed, my good name has been tarnished by deceit and
innuendo."
Allardyce's son Craig was filmed boasting about how he could get access to
his father to do deals for Bolton, and was accused by the programme of receiving
secret payments The Bolton boss admitted: "As a father, of course, it is painful
to watch your son talk tall and exaggerate his influence for financial gain.
"If there is any real evidence - and there won't be, as I am utterly innocent of
any wrongdoing - I would expect the BBC to give that evidence to both the FA and
the (Premier League's) Quest inquiry." The FA has asked for any evidence
uncovered by the Panorama programme. "These are serious allegations which have
been made by Panorama and we are determined to investigate them fully," said FA
chief executive Brian Barwick. "It is vital for the integrity of the game and
for every football supporter that we do this." And Bolton Wanderers Football
Club has also said it may request further information from the BBC. A
Bolton statement said: "The
club takes the allegations broadcast very seriously but owes it to its fans,
Sam and all of its players and staff not to over-react. "It is our duty to act
only on facts and hard evidence. The club is committed to conducting a thorough
and robust investigation into the allegations which were made in the Panorama
programme. "As part of the process, the club will work with Sam to establish the
facts." BBC Panorama has said in a statement that it will cooperate with
requests relating to the programme from the relevant investigating authorities,
and "will do so in line with our normal processes and procedures in cases of
this kind." Former England managerial candidate Allardyce also told the BBC he
would not condone any breaches of FA rules.














Visit www.EPL365.com for more news, updates, fistures and results on the English
Premier League.
Register as a member and stand a chance to win your favourite 2006/2007 EPL
Team jersey.


---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]