Corruption probe claims latest scalp as Wright sacked after Allardyce England exit

Football authorities are bracing themselves for an escalation in the game's corruption crisis after the latest series of allegations led to Championship club Barnsley initially suspending their assistant head coach Wright with immediate effect.

That has become a sacking with Barnsley releasing a statement explaining their decision.

"Barnsley FC today terminated the contract of assistant head coach Tommy Wright with immediate effect," said the club.

"A meeting between the club and Mr Wright was held this morning attended by club chief executive Linton Brown. After considering Mr Wright’s response to allegations in today’s Daily Telegraph about breaching FA rules over player transfers, Mr Wright was dismissed.

"The club was unaware of such matters or involved in any wrongdoing. The club will continue to fully investigate the issues at hand and will co-operate with the regulatory authorities as necessary."

Following footage which led to the departure of England boss Sam Allardyce, and a report claiming 10 as-yet unnamed managers have been involved in illicit payments, the Daily Telegraph unleashed new footage detailing alleged impropriety on Wednesday night.

Wright - who denies any wrongdoing - is alleged to have taken a £5,000 payment to help a group of Far East investors place players at his club.

QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Leeds owner Massimo Cellino were also implicated in separate controversies.

Hasselbaink is alleged to have requested a fee of £55,000 to work for a fake Far East firm seeking to sell players to the club, while footage appears to show Cellino explaining to representatives of a fictitious Far East firm that they can circumvent FA and FIFA rules by becoming club shareholders in order to receive a portion of players' sell-on fees.

FA and FIFA rules ban third-party ownership of players, and third parties receiving any percentage of a player's transfer fees.

Barnsley acted swiftly to suspend Wright pending an internal investigation, after he was filmed apparently telling reporters posing as members of a prospective Far East investment firm: "I can just recommend players to you...that I've gone and seen, and then you'll have to do your spicy dealing, whatever you do."

At a later meeting, when an envelope was offered that the Telegraph said contained bank notes, Wright said: "Cheers, just put it there" - indicating a seat alongside him.

QPR and Leeds issued robust defences of Hasselbaink and Cellino respectively.

QPR said the 44-year-old would be subjected to a "thorough internal investigation" but added: "We have every confidence in our manager and the robust systems and processes the club has in place."

Video footage shows Hasselbaink seemingly asking his suitors to "come up with a nice figure" for a role, which the newspaper says he is told would involve a number of trips to meet with the firm in Singapore.