Woodhouse claims corruption is rife in football and boxing
FOR someone who has inhabited the exciting but murky worlds of football and boxing for 20 years, British sport’s ultimate man-of-theworld Curtis Woodhouse was not surprised at last week’s revelations that cost England boss Sam Allardyce his job.
Woodhouse (pictured) has a unique perspective, having performed at a high level in two different testosteronepacked industries, as an England Under-21 footballer alongside Steven Gerrard before dramatically starting a new career aged 26 that led him to becoming British light-welterweight champion in 2014.
‘What’s he done apart from pimp himself out for a few quid?’ he asked.
‘If you asked 100 footballers if they were shocked by what was said, 95 would say: “No”. Everyone knows what goes on, particularly players who have moved to different clubs. They’ll understand.’
As for the wider issue of corruption in sport — and we should point out at this stage Allardyce has not been accused of doing anything against the rules — Woodhouse is adamant.
‘I have been in football my whole life, if I had a pound for everyone I knew that had been taking backhanders off agents... I’d be a billionaire.
‘Certain agents only work for certain football clubs. Why do you think that is? So many people employ their sons or their cousins as agents, it kind of keeps the money in the family. It happens all the time.
‘It’s the same in boxing. People take dives all the time, people don’t try and win fights. People pay organisations brown envelopes to get their fighter higher up the rankings.
‘Sam Allardyce has been stupid, but to lose his job is very harsh. I have no problem with punishment, but if that is the standard, let’s have it across the board.’
Now 36, it is a decade since Woodhouse gave up on the game after playing in the Premier League for Birmingham City. Boxing has given him a sense of perspective and he is concerned how the moneyobsessed football industry stops young players from growing up.
‘Footballers don’t live in the same world as everyone else. If you are treated like a king, you’ll start thinking you are a king. It stunts their development,’ added Woodhouse.
‘It’s a secluded world and it’s even worse now. Clubs employ people to do everything for the players. I started on £42 a week at Sheffield United. Once I’d made it, I went into the office and came out five minutes later with five grand a week. And nobody sat me down to plan.’