Bond becomes first victim

Published September 27, 2006

LONDON, Sept 26: Newcastle assistant manager Kevin Bond became the first casualty from last week's BBC documentary alleging corruption in English football when he was sacked on Tuesday.

The 49-year-old has hinted he intends to sue the BBC but that did not save him from being axed by Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd.

Bond – a former central defender and son of colourful ex Manchester City manager John - was placed on gardening leave after he was secretly recorded saying he would consider receiving payments from an agent.

Bond, who was working alongside Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth at the time of when he was recorded, says he has never been interested in receiving bungs.

“Newcastle has terminated Kevin Bond's contract,” read a statement on the Premiership club's official website.

A clearly angry Bond, who enjoyed a decent playing career at among other clubs Southampton and Manchester City, issued a statement indicating his displeasure at Newcastle taking a decision so quickly and before the investigation by the Football Association had been completed.

“I am extremely disappointed Newcastle have terminated my contract without any proper investigation into the allegations,” he said.

“My lawyers will shortly be going to court to compel the BBC to release full transcripts of the recordings.

“Rather than waiting for this and the outcome of any Football Association investigation, Newcastle have made their decision solely on the basis of a few sentences carefully selected and edited by Panorama.”—AFP

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