Newell names bung agent

[TheStig]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5357822.stm

A football manager has publicly named an agent who he says attempted to bribe him.

Luton Town's Mike Newell says football agent Charles Collymore offered him a cut of a player's fee that he tried to negotiate.

Mr Newell says he rejected the offer and reported the agent to the Football Association.

Mr Collymore, who works as a freelance agent, denies offering or accepting any bungs.

Bungs are defined as illegal payments made to managers during transfer dealings.

Mr Collymore, in undercover BBC filming, said he knew eight Premiership managers who would accept bungs.

He made the allegation to a Uefa-licensed coach Knut Auf dem Berge who worked undercover for the BBC's Panorama programme for nine months on an investigation into corruption in football.

Mr Collymore says he gave Knut Auf dem Berge false information because he was suspicious of his agenda.

Mr Newell met the Football Association in January to discuss his allegations that transfer bungs are rife in football.

Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, has been appointed as head of a probe into alleged transfer bungs in the Premier League.

He is looking at irregular payments in transfer deals made since 1 January 2004. He is expected to publish his findings imminently.

Look at the agent's excuse:

Mr Collymore says he gave Knut Auf dem Berge false information because he was suspicious of his agenda.

[Tom]

As I've posted in the liverpool forum. He represents 2 of our players.......

[Miracle@Istanbul]

Newell said in the 5live interview last night " supporters should ask themselves how many players have been signed by the club for big money and have not made it into the first team and then been sold again" he indicated these deals may be suspicious.

[animal magic]

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood says he was offered a bung by an agent for signing a player during the summer.
BBC One's Panorama on Tuesday night threatens to expose those involved in such transfer dealings in England.

And Calderwood told The Daily Record: "I know bungs are part of football as I was offered one in the summer.

"A Greek agent phoned me about a player and called back later to say I'd be looked after if we proceeded with the deal. Needless to say, I didn't."

Calderwood continued: "For a start, I wasn't interested in the player, no figure was mentioned and, frankly, I didn't want to know. I've certainly not been involved in big enough deals for anything like this to rear its head

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies

"The only other time I've been offered a bung was when I was in charge at NEC Nijmegen, but the agent concerned was given short shrift.

"However, it will be squeaky-bum time for a few managers when the Panorama screen their programme because it does happen down south.

"Not in Scotland though, as there are very few big-money transfers and all our clubs are operating under severe financial restrictions in any case.

"I've certainly never heard of illegal payments being made."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies, who spent some time in England in charge of Bradford City, agreed.

"You hear a lot of stories from down south, whether or not they are true," he told BBC Sport.

"It only really happens in very big transfers and I've certainly not been involved in big enough deals for anything like this to rear its head."

[dom9]

Newell said in the 5live interview last night " supporters should ask themselves how many players have been signed by the club for big money and have not made it into the first team and then been sold again" he indicated these deals may be suspicious.

That bit doesn't apply to us then. We can't give our players away.

[saveferris]

He has been vindicated though which is great as he really stuck his neck out there

[Mumsafan]

He did , true

[G_Man]

I like Mike Newell, the game needs more guys with integrity