Chris Coleman on Panorama programme, from Fulham Press Conference, 21/9/06:
Was Sam Allardyce right to be implicated?
‘Bollocks. What did we see? A lot of provocation; a lot of ifs, buts and maybes. Sam’s name was mentioned a lot, but because his son Craig has been involved in deals – but I don’t know Craig so well. Sam has come out and said that he has never been involved in anything like that, and I’ve no reason to believe he has. I totally believe him 100 per cent. He’s one of the best managers we’ve got in the game… There was no hard evidence to say that Sam Allardyce has taken a bung.
‘Does it go on in the game? Maybe, it’s been talked about for years. But without hard evidence, what are we going to do?’
Have you ever been offered a bung?
‘No, never. I can honestly say that I have never been offered a bung.’
Harry tapping up?
‘If that’s tapping up a player, then I’m guilty of it also. How else do you sign a player? An agent says, “so-and-so is not happy at a club, do you like him?” Of course! What are you going to say? “ No, I’ll tell you if I like him when he becomes available.” No, you say, “I like him, he’s a good player.” That’s the way it goes. I can’t see that as tapping up a player. He’s not called up the player himself, and said: “Do you fancy coming?”, that’s tapping up a player, and he’s not done that. There’s a lot of bullshit if I’m honest.’
Nathan Porritt – youngsters being touted without your knowledge?
‘I’m sure it has happened, because we have had players touted to us from other clubs. Unfortunately that’s the murky world of it now. It’s not just football, it happens in all business – the rules are bent by most people. I’ve been touted players from other clubs, and I’m sure agents have touted some of my players. What do you do? I don’t know.’
Labels: Chris Coleman, football, Fulham, Quest, Sam Allardyce
