A BBC television investigation into alleged illegal payments in English football pointed the finger at Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce and two agents, one of them his son Craig.

The Panorama programme, entitled "Undercover - Football's Dirty Secrets", also made allegations regarding indirect approaches to players involving Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and Chelsea's director of youth football, Frank Arnesen.

Redknapp's former assistant at Portsmouth, Kevin Bond, was secretly recorded saying he would consider discussing payments by a proposed new agency involving agent Peter Harrison.

All of those named in the programme have denied any wrongdoing.

In a statement after the programme, the Premier League said it took "all allegations of this nature seriously, which is why we launched an inquiry into alleged irregular payments in transfers back in January of this year."

It added: "we request the BBC pass on their evidence in order that The FA and ourselves can examine all aspects of these allegations in order to determine the most appropriate course of action that each body should take."

In undercover filming, agents accused Sam Allardyce, considered earlier this year as a potential England manager, of being corrupt.  One of them, France-based Teni Yerima, said Allardyce had taken money from him, while another, Harrison, said money was offered to his son Craig as part of a deal.

Denying the allegations, the Bolton manager has subsequently told the BBC that he has never asked for or received a 'bung', the corporation said in a statement.

Speaking after Bolton's League Cup win over Walsall, played while the Panorama programme was broadcast, Allardyce told BBC Radio: "I'm doing my job and tonight is very difficult in that time in itself.

"I'm aware of the situation and because I haven't seen anything of the programme, I need to have a look at that before I make any comment whatsoever.

"But if there are things saying wrong about Sam Allardyce, believe you me, I will be fighting them."