SAN FRANCISCO, September 27, (THEWILL) – Sam Allardyce has lost his job as England manager after an investigation by The Daily Telegraph revealed he used his position to negotiate a £400,000 deal and give advice to businessmen on how to get around Football Association rules on player transfers.
With just 67 days into his £3million a-year contract, Allardyce has become the shortest-serving England manager – having been in charge for just one match.
The FA was particularly concerned over Allardyce’s comments on so-called third party ownership and also why he felt the need to seek extra remuneration beyond his salary
“The FA can confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager,” an officlai statement from the FA reads.
“Allardyce’s conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager. He accepts he made a significant error of judgement and has apologised. However, due to the serious nature of his actions, The FA and Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
“This is not a decision that was taken lightly but The FA’s priority is to protect the wider interests of the game and maintain the highest standards of conduct in football. The manager of the England men’s senior team is a position which must demonstrate strong leadership and show respect for the integrity of the game at all times.
“Gareth Southgate will take charge of the men’s senior team for the next four matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain whilst The FA begins its search for the new England manager.
“The FA wishes Sam well in the future.”
Third party ownership involves an agent or an investor owning part of the financial rights to a player, meaning transfer fees are partly paid to them when a player moves clubs, rather than the buying club paying all the money to the selling club.
During a meeting at a London hotel in August, Allardyce, who was appointed by the FA on July 22, was happy to discuss third party ownership of players with two undercover reporters posing as representatives of a Far East-based company looking to get a foothold in the lucrative world of English football.
He attended the meeting with his agent, Mark Curtis, and his financial adviser, Shane Moloney, after being approached via the football agent Scott McGarvey, a long-time friend of Allardyce who was unaware of the undercover reporters’ involvement and advice on where third party ownership was still possible, despite the worldwide FIFA ban.
Story by David Oputah
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