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Bung inquiry targets 17 transfers Bung inquiry targets 17 transfers
(20 minutes later)
The Premier League has targeted 17 transfers that need more investigation following Lord Stevens' inquiry into illegal payments in football.The Premier League has targeted 17 transfers that need more investigation following Lord Stevens' inquiry into illegal payments in football.
But Lord Stevens, who was investigating a total of 362 transfers, has not given details of the 17 questionable deals.But Lord Stevens, who was investigating a total of 362 transfers, has not given details of the 17 questionable deals.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said a "small but significant number of agents" would not co-operate.Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said a "small but significant number of agents" would not co-operate.
Lord Stevens' team, which has made 38 recommendations to safeguard the game's integrity, will begin a new inquiry.Lord Stevens' team, which has made 38 recommendations to safeguard the game's integrity, will begin a new inquiry.
onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('4478383'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Live: Lord Stevens reveals his findings onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6196551'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Five Live Factfile: Stevens' Bung Inquiry Interview: David Mellor Five Live Factfile: Stevens' Bung Inquiry Interview: David Mellor
The game is clean but the accounting processes and monitoring of the clubs is in a mess Lord Stevens
The findings of the nine-month inquiry were revealed at a news conference on Wednesday.The findings of the nine-month inquiry were revealed at a news conference on Wednesday.
Among the recommendations was the creation of a new body to handle the audit of transfers, rather than the Football Association.Among the recommendations was the creation of a new body to handle the audit of transfers, rather than the Football Association.
"The FA and the compliance unit does not have the credibility of the public or the clubs," said Lord Stevens."The FA and the compliance unit does not have the credibility of the public or the clubs," said Lord Stevens.
"The proposed regulation and compliance unit must be established with expertise and independence to take on this work."The proposed regulation and compliance unit must be established with expertise and independence to take on this work.
"Part of the FA's problems has been the lack of forensic investigators and accountants. The work must be preventative." "Part of the FA's problems has been the lack of forensic investigators and accountants."
Lord Stevens said every one of his recommendations had to be implemented. Lord Stevens also criticised the lack of assistance he had received from "eight major agents" during the course of his team's investigation.
"Failure to do so will result in the game remaining under attack and its remaining members subject to allegations and innuendo," he said. "Agents' failure to respond has resulted in delays to this inquiry," he said. People will only be named when there is evidence which will lead to a charge Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore
Lord Stevens also criticised the lack of assistance he had received from some agents during the course of his team's investigation. "We will be providing the Premier League with a number of incidences where mandated processes have not been followed.
"Agents' failure to respond has resulted in delays to this inquiry," he added. "This is no witch hunt. This is no whitewash.
"We will be providing the Premier League with a number of incidences where mandated processes have not been followed." "The reason why we are not naming names is the inquiry is ongoing.
Lord Stevens said punishment for anyone who does not comply with the financial regulations must be severe. "I know you would like us to name and shame but I can't do it at the present stage.
"Punishments must have a significant deterrent," he said. "The game, in relation to the majority of what we have seen, is clean but the accounting processes and monitoring of the clubs is in a mess."
"Money alone may not be appropriate as a sanction alone. Scudamore added: "People will only be named when there is evidence which will lead to a charge.
"Seasoned investigators and forensic accountants are required to trace the money flows. They must have that expertise available to it or they will fail. "The concentration is now on a number of agents and other parties - not clubs and club officials.
"They must have access to accounts with club and agent and must make books available to the audit." "In one sense they (clubs) are in the clear in that the investigation into them has finished."