Sam Allardyce’s straight-talking style helped land him the England manager’s job, but just 67 days into the role it has left him in a spot of bother.
“Big Sam”, was secretly filmed by The Daily Telegraph giving advice on how to negotiate transfer rules and mocking the speech impediment of predecessor Roy Hodgson.
The 61-year-old Allardyce is now the subject of a Football Association investigation, casting serious doubt over the future of a man who has always made a virtue of doing things his own way.
The Telegraph sting includes the allegation that Allardyce told undercover reporters it was possible to “get around” rules banning third-party ownership of players, saying some agents were “doing it all the time”.
Here, Sport360 has round-up other famous instances where sporting stars have been stung by the media.
1999: LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO
Lawrence Dallaglio was forced to resign as England captain in 1999 after the News of the World reported that he took and dealt drugs.
The tabloid also reported that he boasted taking drugs during the Lions’ winning Tour of South Africa in 1997.
Dallaglio denied the allegations and said he was part of an “elaborate set-up”, but admitted experimenting with drugs before his rugby career.
The back-rower retired from international rugby in 2005 with 85 caps, including a World Cup medal in 2003.
Lawrence Dallaglio.
2006: SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON
The former England manager fell victim to a sting by the News of the World just months before the 2006 World Cup.
Eriksson was on a coaching trip to Dubai when he was approached by a “Fake Sheikh” – who was an undercover journalist – about a potential coaching role at a new football academy.
He is recorded saying he would leave the England job and manage Aston Villa as part of a takeover bid, and also said David Beckham would return to the Premier League if he asked him to.
The FA announced Eriksson would leave his job after the World Cup, despite being under contract until 2008.
England bowed out at the quarter-final stage of the World Cup to Portugal that summer.
Sven Goran Eriksson.
2010: JOHN HIGGINS
A sting operation carried out by the News of the World in 2010, showed former world number one Higgins and his then-manager arranging to lose frames in matches for money.
The investigation did clear Higgins of match fixing, but it brought the sport into disrepute.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association fined Higgins £75,000 (Dhs 357,574) and banned him from competing for six months.
2010: RICKY HATTON
The Sunday edition of News of the World published a front page story alleging Ricky Hatton had been a regular cocaine user with pictures of the former boxing champion using the drug.
He was caught on camera in a Manchester hotel room and was admitted to rehab days later.
The Englishman retired from boxing in 2009 after being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao.
Ricky Hatton.
2010: PAKISTAN SPOT FIXING SCANDAL
In the biggest media expose in the history of the game, News of the World videotaped bookmaker Mazhar Majeed arranging for no-balls to be bowled by Pakistan pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir against England in the Lord’s Test at pre-determined points.
Both pacers and captain Salman Butt were banned by the ICC and served prison sentences.
2011: BRYAN ROBSON
The Manchester United legend was filmed during an undercover investigation by reporters for a Channel 4 programme.
He described ways to break the Football Association rules that prevent groups from owning more than one club.
He also lists clubs he considers a targets for takeover.
Robson, a former England captain, made 90 appearances for his country between 1980-1991.
Bryan Robson.
2012: IPL TEAMS SEEKING MONEY TO SPOT-FIX MATCHES
News channel India TV carried a ‘sting operation’ which accused five players, four of who were with IPL teams, of seeking money to spot-fix matches.
Bans of varying lengths were handed out to Deccan Chargers’ TP Sudhindra, Kings XI Punjab’s Shalabh Srivastava and Amit Yadav and Pune Warriors India’s Mohnish Mishra.
