English football authorities have pledged to look more closely into serious claims made in a Daily Telegraph investigation with “full force”.
News outlet, the Daily Telegraph claimed that eight current or ex-Premier League managers had taken bribes for player transfers.
The Football Association, Premier League and Football League issued a statement saying the game’s integrity was of “paramount importance”.
It comes after Sam Allardyce left his post as England boss on Tuesday.
His departure followed a Telegraph investigation claiming he offered advice on how to “get around” rules on player transfers.
The League Managers’ Association has said it is “extremely concerned”, and is working with the Football Association “to establish the facts”.
The Association of Football Agents said the transfer system was “open to abuse”.
“The global move to deregulation has not worked and it has allowed the system to be more open to manipulation and abuse,” said Mike Miller, chairman of the AFA.
“The time has come for the key stakeholders in this country to genuinely come together to establish a new framework for the future.”
Sports minister Tracey Crouch also said the allegations were “very concerning”.
She added: “We have been clear that we expect the highest standards of governance and transparency from sports governing bodies, here in the UK and on the international stage.”
The LMA said that it “takes the allegations very seriously as they are obviously damaging to the game”.
Two Championship bosses are also said to be open to bribes, but none of the managers have been named.
