No finger pointing expected from English 'bungs' inquiry

LONDON, Oct 2 (Reuters) The head of an English Premier League inquiry into accusations of corruption by agents, managers and clubs will report to the media today but anyone expecting an exposure of high-profile miscreants is likely to be disappointed.

Former London police chief John Stevens and Premier League chief executive Peter Scudamore will address the league's chairmen then hold a news conference at around 21 hrs IST after concluding the eight-month inquiry set up to investigate illicit payments to managers between January 2004 and January 2006.

Stevens is not expected to ''name and shame'' any clubs or individuals but media reports over the weekend suggest he will make recommendations on how to tighten up regulations and procedures and could ask for more time to investigate particular cases.

The news conference comes two weeks after a claim by the BBC's ''Panorama'' programme that bungs and rule-breaking are widespread in English soccer and less than a week after the agent of England manager Steve McClaren said he believed the majority of agents working in England to be corrupt.

Previously, former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, Luton Town manager Mike Newell and former Queens Park Rangers coach Ian Holloway had all said they knew of illegal payments or offers.

Despite widespread and frequent claims, the only 'bung'case to have led to censure was that of former Arsenal manager George Graham, who was banned for a year in 1995 after accepting 425,000 pounds (800,200 dollar) from an agent involving two transfers.

REUTERS PDS VC1558