English soccer was grappling with the fall-out yesterday after a BBC television programme alleged that a culture of corruption and illegal payments to managers was rife in the national game.

Sports minister Richard Caborn urged a thorough inquiry into Tuesday's claims made on the BBC Panorama programme, the Football Association launched a series of investigations and the Premier League asked the BBC to hand over its documentary evidence.

The air was also thick with denials of any wrongdoing, while a "disappointed" League Managers Association criticised Panorama, saying there was a complete lack of substance and evidence to back its claims.

The programme recorded two football agents implying that Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce had received payments, known as 'bungs', as part of transfer deals.

Allardyce's agent son Craig was accused of receiving secret payments as part of the transfer of three players to Bolton.

Portsmouth's former assistant manager Kevin Bond was secretly recorded saying he would consider discussing payments by a proposed - but entirely fictitious - new agency involving agent Peter Harrison, a central figure in the programme.

Harrison did not know he was being secretly filmed at meetings throughout the year-long investigation.

Accusations of breaking rules on indirectly approaching players were made against Chelsea's director of youth football Frank Arnesen, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, Harrison and another agent, Charles Collymore. All of those accused in the programme have denied any wrongdoing.

Allardyce denial

Allardyce was quoted on British media internet sites yesterday as saying: "Obviously I'm denying all allegations that have been alleged against me.

"The matter's in the lawyers' hands and will be resolved by due process. I have instructed my lawyers to take the appropriate action."

Bolton later issued a statement saying it took the allegations "very seriously, but owes it to its fans, Sam and all of its players not to over-react.

"It is our duty to act on facts and hard evidence," it said, adding the club would conduct a "thorough and robust investigation... (and) work with Sam to establish the facts."

The timing of the Panorama programme was significant as it comes just as a long-running Premier League inquiry into an alleged 'bung' culture is drawing to a conclusion.

Headed by former London police chief John Stevens, the results will be presented to the Premier League on October 2.

Summing up the FA's approach, chief executive Brian Barwick said: "These are serious allegations which have been made by Panorama and we are determined to investigate them fully.

"It is vital for the integrity of the game and for every football supporter that we do this."

In dealing with agents, the FA has various disciplinary options - ranging from a warning to a temporary suspension or full revocation of their licence, and/or a fine.

"If we find evidence of corruption we will act on it. We recognise our responsibility," Barwick said.

A corruption allegation levelled at Allardyce by French-based agent Teni Yerima, will also be looked into, although he is outside the FA's jurisdiction.

The FA said it would refer any information to FIFA and/or the French Football Federation as appropriate.

Arnesen was secretly filmed having a meeting with Harrison about one of his clients, teenage Middlesbrough player Nathan Porritt.

Arnesen said he could offer Porritt £150,000 ($282,100) if he was to leave Middlesbrough, while Harrison indicated that Boro did not know he was touting the player.

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb issued a statement yesterday expressing his dismay at Harrison's actions.

Allegations that 'bungs' are often made by agents to managers in order to smooth the passage of players from one club to another have been around the English game for decades.

Former Arsenal manager George Graham remains the only high-profile casualty. He was banned from the game for a year in 1995 after accepting £425,000 from the Norwegian agent Rune Hauge in connection with the transfers of Danish international midfielder John Jensen and Norwegian international defender Pal Lydersen in the early 1990s.