Sports Letters: Blunt truth about sharp practices

Sir: A Swindon Town supporter, I was disgusted when my team, having won the play-off final against Sunderland in 1991, were barred from entering the then First Division because the club chairman, Brian Hillier, among others, had been involved in tax irregularities and illegal payments to players. Revelations arising from Sugar v Venables show that such practices might be endemic. I hope the whole can of worms spills out into the open and is investigated until the 'bung' brigade is driven out of football. If all the clubs who are eventually convicted of offences similar to those committed at Swindon receive the same penalty, will anyone be left to play in the Premier League next season?

Yours faithfully,

CHRISTOPHER JUPP

Reading

11 June