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Sam Allardyce could face ban: Football Association

61-year-old's dream job ended after just 67 days following newspaper sting operation

Afp October 01, 2016

Former England soccer manager Sam Allardyces faces ban from FA. PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON: Former England manager Sam Allardyce could be banned from football following the revelations that brought his reign as the manager of the Three Lions to an abrupt end, the Football Association (FA) chief executive Martin Glenn said Saturday.

Allardyce's dream job ended after just 67 days as the Daily Telegraph newspaper released secretly-filmed footage of him making controversial remarks about a variety of subjects, including side work and circumventing FA regulations.

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The FA is awaiting the newspaper's full transcript before deciding what action, if any, to take against the 61-year-old.

Glenn said charges could be brought against Allardyce and punishments "could range from a fine to a ban". "It is realistic," Glenn said when asked if charges could follow. "I am pleased that the Telegraph are releasing [the full transcripts] to the police first because that is what has to happen.

"Once we get access to that, we have a separate integrity unit," explained Glenn, who admitted he had felt "let down" by Allardyce.

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"I have asked myself a lot about this," he said. "The easy decision was actually to keep him and tough it out. I do feel let down because I genuinely think for football reasons he was a really good choice and just what we needed after the Euros."

Meanwhile, Glenn admitted Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is among the candidates who "perfectly" fit the criteria to take the England job.

England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate has been placed in interim charge for the remaining four matches of 2016, giving Glenn, FA chairman Greg Clarke and technical director Dan Ashworth the chance to take their time when recruiting a full-time successor.

Frenchman Wenger, 66, is out of contract in the summer and would fit the bill, and he even said on Friday: "If I am free one day, why not?"

And Glenn acknowledged: "Of course he'd fit the criteria perfectly. Of course he would, as would a few others."