WHITEWASH POSTPONED

The Quest team will be granted a second extension to complete its ‘bungs' inquiry after Lord Stevens told the Premier League board yesterday that there was suspicion of wrongdoing in a number of transfer deals.

Quest has neither been able to ‘sign off' as satisfactory all of those transfers, nor has Stevens come up with watertight proof of corruption.

Stevens yesterday presented his latest findings to the Premier League's board. They intend to digest yesterday's presentation before making any public statements but it is known that there will be no ‘naming and shaming' of those clubs still under suspicion.

Quest will now be expected to exercise further powers to probe the bank accounts of agents and, if the paper trail requires it, managers. This will require formal investigation on a scale unprecedented in the 10-month history of the inquiry.

It is expected that the guilt of agents who do not co-operate will be assumed and they will be indicted for improper conduct. If, in the event of charges being pursued, agents continue to refuse to produce the required documentation, they will be liable to a warning, fine, or suspension or even the withdrawal of their licence.