Ridsdale turned down agent bung

Former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has revealed he turned down a transfer bung from an Italian agent.

Ridsdale, deputy executive chairman at Cardiff, claims he was offered £300,000 to approve a £600,000 invoice for work on Robbie Keane’s transfer from Elland Road to Tottenham.

The agent was not associated with Keane’s official representatives, and Ridsdale reported the incident to the club at a plc board meeting.

“I can confirm that an approach was made to me,” Ridsdale told the Sunday Mirror. “I told my director colleague who was on the trip with me immediately and called our financial director in England to make him aware of the approach.

“I also made it clear to the agent that we do not do business like that and never would do.”

Ridsdale’s revelations following those of Luton manager Mike Newell who claimed last week there is a bung culture within English football.