Premier League accused of inquiry pressure

The Premier League were embroiled tonight in claims they had pressured Lord Stevens into watering down his recommendations from his inquiry into illegal payments.

A copy of a communiqui sent to all Premiership club chairmen today suggests that the league had tried to persuade Stevens to take on board the clubs' concerns.

The Premier League insist the Stevens' report has not been 'shaped in any way' by them but it is understood they did pass on 'advice' after the clubs had been shown the former Metropolitan Police commissioner's observations.