Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore says the planned transfer bung inquiry may involve football’s world authorities and even the police.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations and the implications they hold for the game in general Scudamore feels that it may be necessary to go to FIFA to resolve any charges and, if necessary, to involve the police if any criminal activities have taken place.

“The inquiry intends to refer cases of wrongdoing that fall outside FA rules to Uefa, Fifa or the appropriate statutory body,” he said.

When asked if that could include the police, he said “Yes”.

The Premier League had appeared to be dragging their feet in appointing someone to head the bung inquiry but they have said that they are merely trying to ascertain the availability of the eight main candidates they have for the post, with an eminent QC being seen as the most likely appointment.

Richard Scudamore has called for the inquiry following allegations from Luton Town manager Mike Newell that he had been offered bungs in several transfer deals he had been involved in and sees the process as one of clearing the air rather than a witch hunt,

“I don’t believe this is an endemic issue,” Scudamore added.

“The inquiry will enable the chair to make a statement as to how good the clubs are.

“It will also come out with recommendations as to how we can improve our business practices and fight all these ‘reputation’ issues that are damaging us.”

This entry was posted on Friday, February 17th, 2006 at 8:56 am and is filed under General Football Articles. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. Both comments and pings are currently closed.