Barnsley sacks assistant Tommy Wright amid corruption allegations

In light of The Telegraph's corruption investigation within English football, the sport is going through a thorough clean-up operation. On Thursday, Barnsley fired assistant manager Tommy Wright due to findings that appeared to show him circumnavigating Football Association rules.

The former Leicester City and Oldham Athletic winger was filmed during the 10-month newspaper probe, in discussions with a fictitious Far East firm. Wright seemingly agreed to encourage Barnsley to sign players represented by the firm, in exchange for money.

"I can just recommend players to you that I've gone and seen, and you will have to do your spicy dealing, whatever you do," Wright is heard saying in one of the meetings.

In an August recording, he allegedly accepts a £5,000 "bung" from an undercover reporter in Leeds. The behaviour would breach both FA and FIFA laws on third-party ownership, and would show a clear conflict of interest between Wright's faux business deal and his duties at Barnsley.

The Tykes' statement read:

Barnsley FC today terminated the contract of Assistant Head Coach Tommy Wright with immediate effect.

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.

Among those implicated in The Telegraph's investigation is Sam Allardyce, who lost his job as England manager on Tuesday after he was found on tape confidently sidestepping the third-party ownership rules, and Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink, the Queens Park Rangers gaffer who appeared to negotiate a £55,000 fee to represent the fake firm.