“Silly” Allardyce says error of judgment led to shock exit

Thursday, 29 September 2016 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: An emotional and apologetic Sam Allardyce said on Wednesday (28 September) an error of judgment had led to his shock exit as England manager following a newspaper sting.

The 61-year-old was compelled to leave on Tuesday (27 September) for seeking a lucrative sideline role while talking to undercover reporters from Britain’s Daily Telegraph.

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Former England soccer manager Sam Allardyce speaks to media as he leaves his home in Bolton, Britain 28 September 2016 - Reuters

The paper said it had hundreds of pages of transcripts from the meeting in which Allardyce was negotiating a deal worth 400,000 pounds ($ 520,840) to represent a Far East firm seeking advice on the transfer market.

Allardyce said it had been a “silly thing” to do but he had been trying to help out someone he had known for 30 years.

“Unfortunately it was an error in judgment on my behalf. I have paid the consequences,” a clearly emotional Allardyce told reporters outside his home in northern England.

“Entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that. I’ve apologized to (the Football Association) and all concerned.”

Earlier he issued a statement in which he offered a “wholehearted apology” to the Football Association (FA) for embarrassing the governing body.

“It was a great honour for me to be appointed back in July and I am deeply disappointed at this outcome,” Allardyce, who replaced Roy Hodgson after England’s dismal Euro 2016 campaign.