Tuesday 27 September 2016 19:47, UK
Sky Sports News HQ understands the FA is considering Sam Allardyce's position as England manager and that the 61-year-old would not be surprised if he lost his job.
Sky sources report Allardyce is "deeply embarrassed" after he was secretly filmed discussing the possibility of circumventing FA rules on third-party ownership and mocking predecessor Roy Hodgson.
A report in The Daily Telegraph claims Allardyce told undercover reporters posing as businessmen it was possible to "get around" the FA rule, which was introduced in 2008, while also criticising Hodgson, calling Prince Harry "a very naughty boy" and accusing the FA of being "all about making money".
Allardyce held talks with his FA bosses on Tuesday and intends to apologise at the earliest opportunity to Hodgson, but it is understood he believes his comments, while ill-advised, were not corrupt.
An FA insider has admitted to Sky Sports News HQ that Allardyce displayed "poor judgement" in his words and added there was disbelief at the governing body that the investigation has come so early in Allardyce's England career.
The FA's immediate priority on Tuesday was to establish "the full facts" and whether Allardyce has breached any rules, with questions to be asked about the FA Ethical Code of Conduct and any conflict of interest.
According to Sky sources, Allardyce intended to tell FA chairman Greg Clarke and chief executive Martin Glenn that he was approached to discuss the possibility of giving a number of speeches on motivation and management - and not football. As the Telegraph points out, he is insistent that any agreement would first have to be ratified by his employers.
The former West Ham, Newcastle and Bolton manager was also expected to tell his bosses he was asked to give his opinion on third party ownership and how it works. However, he now understands that his explanation was inaccurate and as England manager, he was wrong to offer an opinion.
Allardyce's future will be discussed by both Clarke and Glenn, with any recommendations then considered by the FA board before any potential action is taken.
Asked for a response to the report, published on the Telegraph website on Monday night, an FA spokesman said: "We have asked The Daily Telegraph to provide us with the full facts in relation to this matter."
Among the allegations is that Allardyce agreed in principle to travel to the Far East as a paid ambassador for the fictitious businessmen, while a video posted on the Telegraph website appears to show Hodgson being mocked for his speech impediment and personality.
The paper quotes Allardyce saying of Hodgson's public-speaking ability: "He'd send them all to sleep, Roy. Woy. He hasn't got the personality for it."
And the new England boss is also shown in the video suggesting Hodgson "was too indecisive" in the way he managed England and dealt with assistant Gary Neville's "wrong influence" at Euro 2016, where they were beaten by Iceland in the second round.
"Tell Gary to sit down and shut up so you can do what you want," he says.
Allardyce also criticised his FA employers for "stupidly" spending "£870m on Wembley", according to the report, which quotes him saying: "They're all about making money aren't they?
"You know the FA's the richest football association in the world? Well, I shouldn't say that. They're not the richest at all. What they do is they have the biggest turnover in the world with £325m."
Sky Bet odds
Sky Bet are reporting that Allardyce is being strongly backed to leave his position before England's next fixture against Malta on October 8, prompting odds to tumble from 11/2 to 4/9 for his departure.
The 61-year-old is now 13/8 to still be in the role come the next World Cup qualifier, while Steve Bruce has emerged as the 3/1 favourite to be his replacement.
Alan Pardew (6/1), Eddie Howe (8/1) and Gareth Southgate (9/1) are considered the other main contenders for the position.
