Allardyce Nabbed in Undercover Sting, Steps Down as England Manager

Sam Allardyce has left his position as England
manager by mutual consent after just one game
in charge of the national team.
Allardyce was filmed advising undercover
journalists on how to circumvent rules against
third-party ownership, according to UK’s Daily
Telegraph.


Video accompanying the report shows Allardyce
meeting twice with journalists posing as
representatives of a Far East agency who were
interested in bypassing rules from the Football
Association and FIFA.

“You can still get around it. I mean, obviously,
the big money’s here,” Allardyce fondly called
‘Big Sam’ said on the video, while also calling
the regulations “ridiculous.”
A statement from the FA read: “The FA can
confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his position
as England manager. Allardyce’s conduct, as
reported today (yesterday), was inappropriate of
the England manager.
“He accepts he made a significant error of
judgment and has apologised. However, due to
the serious nature of his actions, The FA and
Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his
contract with immediate effect.
“This is not a decision that was taken lightly but
The FA’s priority is to protect the wider
interests of the game and maintain the highest
standards of conduct in football. The manager
of the England men’s senior team is a position
which must demonstrate strong leadership and
show respect for the integrity of the game at all
times.”
Martin Glenn, England FA boss said, “‘A very
difficult 24 hours. In the light of the media
allegations that we’ve seen, we’ve concluded
and Sam’s agreed that his behaviour’s been
inappropriate and frankly not what is expected
of an England manager, discussing a range of
issues from potential contraventions of FA rules
through to personal comments that frankly just
don’t work when you’re the manager of
England.”