England boss Sam Allardyce ‘deeply embarrassed after secret video surfaces

England manager Sam Allardyce is “deeply embarrassed” after he was secretly filmed discussing the possibility of circumventing FA rules on third-party ownership and mocking predecessor Roy Hodgson, according to Sky sources.

A report in The Daily Telegraph claims Allardyce told undercover reporters posing as businessmen it was possible to “get around” the FA rule, which was introduced in 2008, while also criticising Hodgson, calling Prince Harry “a very naughty boy” and accusing the FA of being “all about making money”.

Sky Sports News understands the 61-year-old, who left his home in Bolton at around 7am on Tuesday morning ahead of meetings at Wembley to consider his future, intends to apologise at the earliest opportunity to Hodgson, but believes that his comments, while ill-advised, were not corrupt, as suggested by the newspaper.

An FA insider has admitted that Allardyce displayed “poor judgement” in his words and added there was disbelief at the governing body that the investigation has come so early in Allardyce’s England career.

The FA’s immediate priority is establishing the facts and whether Allardyce has breached any rules, with questions to be asked about the FA Ethical Code of Conduct and any conflict of interest.

It is understood that Allardyce is pessimistic about his prospects of surviving, with the FA waiting to hear his side of the story in those face-to-face discussions, after the investigation that also showed Allardyce offered advice to businessmen on how to get around Football Association rules on player transfers.

The fact that Allardyce told the undercover reporters that he would need to clear any deal with his FA bosses is thought to count heavily in his favour.