Bungs rife in game - McClaren agent

The agent of England manager Steve McClaren has claimed "tens of millions of pounds has gone out of the game" in corrupt deals.

Colin Gordon, who also represents Arsenal's Theo Walcott, claims the practice of 'bung-taking' is rife in the game and is a "very sophisticated business". The Lord Stevens inquiry, launched by the Premier League, into alleged bung payments is due to report next month.

Gordon told the Wolverhampton Express & Star: "If I buy a player from eastern Europe and find he is valued at £2million by his club I say, 'I can sell him for £5million in England'. The club get £500,000 but the other £2.5million makes its way into a separate account."

He added: Since the Premiership began, I would estimate that tens of millions of pounds has gone out of the game this way."

The issue has come back to the fore following a BBC Panorama expose into football corruption last week.

The Premier League and Football Association have launched a joint investigation into the claims made by the programme.

Gordon added: "We're not talking about the £500,000 bungs, or the old brown paper envelope stuffed with a few notes. We're talking about millions upon millions. It is a very sophisticated business. It's cleverly disguised.

"It's accepted abroad. We pretend we are holier than thou.

"But I've spoken to people over there and the English game is considered the 'dirty man of Europe'. We are the worst - and it shouldn't be accepted."