The International Herald Tribune reported that the programme was filmed “over a year-long period and was based around conversations between agents, undercover journalists and club officials”. The paper added that Panorama’s investigation was set off by Luton Football Club manager Martin Newell claiming eight months ago that he had been “twice offered two bribes to complete player transfers”.

The BBC’s own news report on the scandal quoted from the programme itself, in which football agent Chris Gordon admitted, “I can’t argue with the public seeing us as the scum of the earth”. The report said that Gordon “estimates millions of pounds have been exchanged in corrupt deals”.

The Athens News described a statement by Allardyce’s son as being “the most compelling evidence in the programme”, referring to Craig Allardyce’s claim that his father was aware of corrupt transfers to his own club. The paper also noted that “the one hour programme failed to show any money changing hands, although three agents alleged that Allardyce took illegal kickbacks”.