Stevens to deliver 'bung' findings today

Lord Stevens is today expected to deliver the preliminary findings of his inquiry into allegations of corruption in Premiership football.

The former Metropolitan Police commissioner and his team of investigators have examined the 362 transfers which were completed between January 1st, 2004 and January 31st, 2006 and should announce this afternoon whether any of them warrant further scrutiny.

Lord Stevens will make a host of recommendations on how to tighten up the regulations to ensure irregular transfer payments do not happen.

Around 60 of the 362 transfers are thought to require further investigation and he will ask the Premiership chairmen if they want more detailed information on those.

He is also expected to tell chairmen that his security firm Quest will need several more months to complete their investigations, although there will be no 'naming and shaming' those clubs or transfers that require further investigation.

There have been several whistle-blowers on the corrupt state of English football but all allegations have been undermined by a lack of hard evidence.

Luton manager Mike Newell initially catapulted the issue into the headlines in January when he made claims he had been offered bungs.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore set up the Stevens inquiry to investigate and the recent Panorama investigation brought the issue huge publicity.

While the BBC's expose has been heavily criticised — not least from those Premiership managers who have commented on it — it took the issue to the top of agenda.

Once again little hard evidence was uncovered although Newcastle assistant manager Kevin Bond lost his job after the broadcast despite vehemently denying the claims against him.

But there was more than enough material to suggest football is in desperate need of thorough investigation and it will help ensure the authorities, who have been notoriously reluctant to tackle the issue, act.

The FA have already vowed to "significantly strengthen" the size of their compliance department to deal with all allegations of corruption.

The compliance unit, which is currently made up of six staff, have been overwhelmed by the number of referrals in the wake of recent claims about bungs and illegal approaches for players.