English game nervously awaits bungs update

LONDON, Dec 20 (Reuters) The findings of a probe into irregular payments in English transfers are due later today, with Premier League clubs and managers fretting that culprits could be named and shamed.

Former London police chief John Stevens, in charge of the nine-month inquiry, announced in October that out of 362 transfers probed between Jan. 1, 2004 and Jan. 31 this year, 39 were still being examined involving eight clubs.

Officials gave him an extra two months to continue the inquiry but no names of those being investigated have been released, angering innocent parties.

He could name those he thinks are guilty of taking irregular payments, or ''bungs'', at a news conference but he may just give another update on how many deals need extra scrutiny.

Stevens, who last week published a report into the death of Diana Princess of Wales, may also make recommendations to try to clean up the game.

The inquiry was instigated by the Premier League after high-profile allegations that illicit payments to managers by player agents were a common feature of transfer deals.

The BBC's Panorama programme said bungs and rule-breaking were widespread in English football. Since the programme the Football Association has said it will strengthen its compliance unit to tackle corruption.

''We will take great interest in the Lord Stevens Inquiry, we have helped with it, and if there's any help needed going forward we will be part of that as well. We not only have the people, we are going to get more people,'' FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick told BBC radio on Tuesday.

Two managers outside the top flight, Luton Town's Mike Newell and former Queens Park Rangers coach Ian Holloway, now in charge of Plymouth Argyle, have said they were offered inducements.

Despite widespread and frequent allegations, 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 (834,000 dollar) from an agent in two transfers.

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