Wednesday 28 September 2016 17:07, UK
The League Managers Association (LMA) is "extremely concerned" by newspaper allegations that Premier League managers have received "bungs" for player transfers, it said on Wednesday.
The Daily Telegraph reported that eight current and former managers had received money for transfers after the paper filmed agents discussing many managers they had paid off.
"The LMA is extremely concerned by the current situation of allegations made against a number of managers. We take the allegations very seriously as they are obviously damaging to the game," the LMA said in a statement.
"We are in regular communication with The FA to establish the facts relating to those allegations.
"We know The FA has requested full disclosure, from the Telegraph, of all the relevant information it has and we are working with The FA in dealing with the allegations, following the correct processes and procedures."
The LMA said it had no objection to the FA sacking England manager Sam Allardyce after the Telegraph reported that he offered advice to a bogus group of businessmen on how to get around rules on player transfers.
"With regard to Sam Allardyce's departure from his role at The FA, the LMA was in regular communication with Sam and The FA throughout the process. We fully respect the decision that they have mutually agreed," the LMA said.
A statement from Association of Football Agents chairman Mike Miller released on Wednesday afternoon called for new regulation of agents to help combat the "manipulation and abuse" of the system as it exists today.
"We are totally committed to helping any investigation into the various allegations and to continue to work with the relevant football authorities, led by the FA, to further explore what steps can be taken in English football to put in place an effective system of licensing and codes of conduct for agents.
"The global move to deregulation has not worked and it has allowed the system to be more open to manipulation and abuse. The time has come for the key stakeholders in this country to genuinely come together to establish a new framework for the future and we would be happy to progress those discussions with immediate effect.
"Ultimately, changes to the current set-up should also be enforceable globally and this must involve UEFA and FIFA to help spread best practice around the world and re-introduce a system of licensing and regulation which works and is meaningful. We can make a positive start here to promote a better approach across the game."
