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FA, Premier League and EFL to investigate corruption allegations

A general view of the arch over Wembley Stadium prior to the Champions League match between Spurs and Monaco

The FA, Premier League and EFL say they will use "the full force of the rules" to look into any "substantive allegations" of corruption in English football.

A report in Tuesday's Daily Telegraph alleged that eight current or past Premier League managers have been accused of taking money for player transfers.

Two Championship managers were also implicated in a series of taped conversations between agents and undercover reporters, according to the newspaper.

The Telegraph, which says it has been conducting a 10-month investigation into corruption in football, says it will make transcripts of the conversations available to the FA and the police.

LMA responds to report
LMA responds to report

Managers' association 'concerned'

The League Managers' Association said on Wednesday it was "extremely concerned" by the report, and a joint statement issued by English football's three leading bodies later in the day read: "English football takes the governance of the game extremely seriously with integrity being of paramount importance.

"Any substantive allegations will be investigated with the full force of the rules at our disposal, which are wide-ranging and well-developed.

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"In addition, should we find any evidence of criminality we would inform and seek the support of the appropriate statutory authorities."

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The FA's Governance Division has a number of measures in place to protect the game's integrity, including a dedicated Integrity Team specifically tasked to undertake investigations into any alleged breaches of FA rules.

Premier League rules, meanwhile, allow their board to demand bank statements and phone records as part of investigations into suspected rule breaches.

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