Wednesday 28 September 2016 22:49, UK
Former England coach Steve McClaren has expressed sympathy for Sam Allardyce claiming he had "innocently" paid the price for a lack of privacy in modern-day football.
Allardyce stepped down as England boss on Tuesday evening after just 67 days in charge over allegations he discussed how to circumvent rules on player transfers to undercover Daily Telegraph reporters.
The 61-year-old departs by mutual agreement one game into his tenure after agreeing with the Football Association that the comments he made had left his position "untenable".
"It's been a hugely disappointing couple of days for English football and I'm very sad for what has happened to Sam," McClaren said:
"It could have happened to any of us in a high-profile position and Sam has innocently paid the price and it just shows where sport is, at the elite level, that privacy can only be found in the four walls of your home.
"And I think a lot of managers, who have been targeted, have unfortunately found that out, too.
"We need closure on this so the newspapers and reporters should give their information to the FA so they can step in - if there is anything there, it's got to be cut out of the game."
