Seventeen Problematic Transfers Found In 'Bung' Inquiry - 18/06/2007

Lord Stevens' report into an alleged 'bung' culture in the English Premiership has listed 17 problematic transfers involving 15 football agents and five clubs. None of the clubs' officials was involved in illegal payments. But two managers were named in the report. Lord Stevens said there might have been a conflict of interest involving Sam Allardyce, now manager at Newcastle United, and his son Craig, a former agent, when manager at Bolton Wanderers. The report added that there were inconsistencies in the evidence provided by former Newcastle manager Graham Souness. Of the 16 deals for which details were disclosed, four involved Newcastle and there were also four at Bolton; three involved Chelsea and the same number at Portsmouth; and two concerned Middlesbrough. There has been particular interest in subsequent coverage in the role of Pinhas Zahavi, recognised as the leading agent in football. He brokered three high profile transfers to Chelsea (Cech, Drogba and Essien) with which Lord Stevens said he was not satisfied and could not sign off. The report stated that Mr Zhavai had failed to co-operate fully with the inquiry, and failed to provide it with complete bank statements because of their confidential nature. A statement from the Israeli born agent said that he had 'fully cooperated' with the inquiry and had refused access only to accounts unrelated to football transactions.