Scots coach loses job over corruption allegation

Barnsley have sacked assistant head coach Tommy Wright after the Daily Telegraph reported he took a £5,000 payment from undercover reporters posing as representatives of fake investors from the Far East.

The 50-year-old Scot, who maintains his innocence, was suspended after the allegation came to light but the South Yorkshire club has now terminated his contract with immediate effect.

A statement published on the club’s website explained that Wright was summoned yesterday morning to meet chief executive Linton Brown, who decided to dismiss him after hearing his response to the report.

“The club was unaware of such matters nor was it involved in any wrongdoing,” the statement added, before saying it could continue to investigate the matter and cooperate with the authorities.

Wright is now the second man named by the Telegraph in its undercover investigation into corruption in football to lose his job, following England’s now ex-manager Sam Allardyce.

The former Leeds and Leicester winger was filmed apparently telling agents and reporters pretending to work for a bogus Asian investment firm that he could place players at the Championship club in return for illicit payments.

“I can just recommend players to you… that I’ve gone and seen, and then you’ll have to do your spicy dealing, whatever you do,” he is filmed saying.

According to the newspaper, when Wright was offered at a subsequent meeting an envelope which it claims contained banknotes, he said “cheers, just put it there”, indicating an adjacent seat.

Barnsley’s swift response came within an hour of the League Managers Association saying it was frustrated with the newspaper for failing to hand over all of its evidence.

The Telegraph has published several allegations over the last three days, including claims that 10 unnamed managers have taken so-called “bungs” in transfer deals.