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Sam Allardyce

LONDON. — Former England manager Sam Allardyce has sent a “5 000-word letter” to the Football Association seeking damages for the way they handled his sacking, according to a report in the Daily Mail newspaper.

Allardyce left his role with the national side by mutual consent after just one game following a newspaper investigation by Britian’s Daily Telegraph which featured a video of him offering advice to undercover reporters on how to “get around” FA rules on player transfers. The Daily Mail story says that lawyers for the 62-year-old, who lasted 67 days in the job, have now obtained transcripts of the recordings and have written to FA chairman Greg Clarke and chief executive Martin Glenn.

They argue that the FA did not confirm facts before firing Allardyce and that the experienced manager did not breach the terms of his employment. When contacted, the FA refused to comment. But Allardyce disputes the claims which led to his sacking as England manager and remains in legal correspondence with the Football Association, Press Association Sport understands.

Allardyce was sacked as the national team boss after just 67 days and one match, and a report in the Daily Mail on Tuesday claims he is preparing to sue the governing body for damages. Allardyce’s representatives have been in contact with the FA since his departure last September and the 62-year-old has challenged the nature of claims made against him in the Daily Telegraph, which led to his dismissal.

The ex-Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn and Crystal Palace boss branded as “entrapment” a meeting with undercover reporters, posing as Far East businessmen, in which he discussed how to circumvent FA rules regarding player transfers. — Reuters