Tuesday, September 19, 2006

We are not alone...

So, we stood and took it for most of the summer about how we were the most corrupt league in the world, the shame of our top teams, the scandal that was Serie A. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for a little payback.

Tune yourselves in to Panorama tonight and find out how many Premiership managers like a bung. That is to say, a little sweetener of cash for their pocket to clinch major transfer deals. It appears we are not talking, as in Italy, the simple use of influence but rather the more grubby subject of cold, hard notes. The results of a full inquiry are expected out early next month.

What can we expect? Managers banned, teams relegated, points deductions? Probably not. More likely the sound of the old carpet being lifted and a judicious bit of sweeping...

6 comments:

martinobhoy said...

I'm hoping that the programme reveals names although I suspect it will be "Manager X of a club in Northern England" etc.

With the amount of money sloshing about the Premiership it is inconceivable that some of it is not making its way into various back pockets.

ginkers said...

The promise is that names will be named, in which case surely some action must be taken. Although, if it is wishy-washy like the horse racing one then maybe not.

Venezian said...

I thought it was a bit wishy washy, I have to say. They didn't really nail anyone, apart from the agents and maybe fat sam.

I found it frustrating watching - there is obviously endemic corruption, but they never really got to the bottom of it.

ginkers said...

No, it was very similar to the horse racing documentary which didnt really say anything that shocking. However, as you say, no smoke without fire - I believe the arrival of so many overseas billionaires HAS to signal some shady dealings. The whole Mascherano/Tevez deal, for example, smells more than a little fishy...

a.c.t. said...

I thought it was neither here nor there really, but I do hope something comes of it so I can 'shut up' anyone British who ever mentions Italian corruption to me again.

Neilissimo said...

i thought the programme was a disappointment to say the least. certainly very tame compared to moggipoli anyhow.

when u think that the bbc had one year to find out and sniff out corruion, if thats the best tey came up with, its very poor.

however, i do think there are underhand dealings in english football, but it'd literally take a sysmic (spelling?) sift to locae and convict those involved.