Soccer BBC programme on corruption in footballHarry Redknapp issued a libel claim against the BBC even before Tuesday's Panorama programme was screened, it emerged yesterday. Redknapp's solicitor, Rod Christie-Miller, last night confirmed that a libel claim form, which can still be acted upon, was sent to the BBC following speculation over what the documentary would say.

Christie-Miller believes that leaks to the press regarding Redknapp in the build-up to the programme had originated from the BBC, a claim which the BBC has denied. After his Portsmouth team had gone top of the table with a 1-0 against Charlton last Saturday, Redknapp had hinted he would be taking action against the BBC.

"It won't finish here, believe you me," he said.

The English Football Association is investigating the Panorama allegations but Redknapp is adamant he has no case to answer. He was secretly filmed talking to agent Peter Harrison about Blackburn defender Andy Todd in the canteen of Portsmouth's training ground. "I said that I liked him (Todd) - so what? I didn't sign him," said Redknapp this week. "People have obviously seen it now and, as far as I am concerned, there is not a single thing on there. I've said that from day one."

Yesterday he added: "I don't even know what I was doing on it (Panorama). It does (anger me), but I want to get on and talk about football. I really don't know what I was doing on there. What have I done wrong? Not a thing."

Last Saturday the Portsmouth manager had insisted he was "one million per cent" innocent and, after watching Tuesday's programme, he said he felt vindicated. Asked on Wednesday if he planned to take legal action against the BBC, he had said: "I just want to keep my head down. We'll just wait and see."

Liverpool are also taking legal advice as to whether allegations made in the Panorama programme concerning an apparent interest in the Middlesbrough youth-team player Nathan Porritt were defamatory. Footage in the programme showed the then 15-year-old's agent, Harrison, discussing Porritt's future with the Liverpool scout Frank McParland at the club's Kirkby academy.

The commentary on the clip argued that this constituted an illegal approach given that McParland had apparently been made aware that Boro did not know the talks were taking place.

Liverpool dispute that much and argue they have not contravened any laws and were not "tapping up" the player. "We have taken legal advice because we were surprised (to see the footage)," said the Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Redknapp's Portsmouth face Sam Allardyce's Bolton next Monday in both clubs' first match since Tuesday's documentary Undercover: Football's Dirty Secrets. Redknapp has offered his support to Allardyce following the allegations, broadcast by the BBC, which surround the Bolton Wanderers manager.

"I hope it won't affect Bolton," said Redknapp. "I hope things get sorted out for Sam, he's a very strong character, he understands the game and hopefully things will be okay for him.

"I think Sam Allardyce is a fantastic football manager. I've said all along he is a lad who is so clever at what he does - preparing teams with the ProZone. He is an excellent football manager and he is a smashing fella. They (Bolton) start every season well and they finish every season well. They are a good team, a tough team to play against. It will be a tough game."

Allardyce has said he was "utterly innocent" of any wrongdoing.

The chairman of a Football League club has revealed that he and his managers have been offered bribes by agents.

Karl Oyston has been chairman of Blackpool, currently in League One, since 1999 and he believes the issue of bungs is still a major problem in football.

Oyston insisted his unwillingness to take bribes has cost Blackpool several players. He said: "I have been offered cash as a bribe to bring a player to the club and it's happened more than once.

"Since 1999 when I became chairman here, my managers have been offered bungs. We've missed out on a lot of footballers because of it and that is one of my biggest concerns.

"It is very disturbing and in the Premiership where there are huge, huge deals taking place, it is a major problem."