Craig Allardyce drawn into fresh accusations on Israeli transfer

RONEN KATZAV, the former agent of Idan Tal, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder, has accused Craig Allardyce of muscling in on a deal to sign the Israeli international earlier this year.

Katzav’s claims are in response to allegations made on the BBC’s Panorama documentary in which Allardyce boasted that he had helped three players sign for Bolton because of his working relationship with his father Sam, the Bolton coach.

Allardyce was filmed claiming he had played a role in bringing Tal Ben Haim, Hidetoshi Nakata, and Ali Al-Habsi to the club, even though his name did not appear on any of the official transfer documents.

His involvement in deals with Bolton only came to light after the club signed a pre-contract agreement with Idan Tal in March, subject to the transfer going through on July 1st. Katzav had been frustrated when Bolton’s interest in Tal stalled.

But in mid-March, Tal abruptly terminated his relationship with Katzav and then signed for Bolton.

“Suddenly at the crucial moment, Idan took me out of the picture. All I’m asking is: does it look reasonable that one day after ending my representation, he signs for Bolton?”