FA chairman quizzed by MPs on Allardyce payout and investigation

Sam Allardyce is thought to have received a substantial pay-off after leaving his role as England manager, but the official figure is still a mystery.

The former Sunderland and West Ham boss departed by mutual consent after just 67 days in the role, having been caught up in an undercover Daily Telegraph investigation. And, according to reports at the time, Allardyce was due to receive a pay-off of as much as £1m despite only overseeing one England game, a 1-0 victory in Slovakia. FA Chairman Greg Clarke was speaking before a committee of MPs on Monday when he was asked to provide more information on the situation surrounding Allardyce's exit. While he would not disclose details of the payout, according to the Telegraph, he said the FA took the advice of 'an eminent QC' before reaching the settlement when quizzed as to why the reportedly significant amount money was paid out to Allardyce rather than being invested in grassroots football in England. MP Damian Collins, who was among the leading voices calling for Allardyce's dismissal following the initial allegations, suggested to the committee that "everyone saw this coming except the FA" after quizzing Clarke on whether Allardyce had been asked about the Telegraph investigation by his employers. In response, Clarke pledged to "find out whether these questions were asked," the Telegraph reports. Catch up with the latest episode of Football Friday Live: