MICHAEL Appleton says the corruption allegations which have rocked football this week depict a world he has never seen in more than two decades in the game.

A Daily Telegraph investigation has forced Sam Allardyce to step down as England boss and Barnsley to sack assistant manager Tommy Wright.

Further details are expected to be released involving other figures.

It has raised a variety of questions about shady corners of football, especially in relation to agents and player recruitment.

Appleton is keen to see all the detail involved in the allegations before drawing conclusions.

But while he acknowledged the need to be careful about the people in which he comes into contact, the U’s head coach stressed it was alien to his experience.

He said: “I’ve been in the game full-time since I was 16, so 24 years and I’ve never had anyone come up to me and offer me money for anything.

“Maybe I’m just lucky, but I can genuinely say that hand on heart it’s never happened to me.”

He added: “From what we’re all being told there will be more coming out soon so there might be a few people who are a little bit twitchy up and down the country.

“I can’t ever see myself being in a position where I’m being questioned, so it’s quite hard to fathom really.”

One area Appleton did believe needed a shake-up was in the role played by agents.

They used to be licensed, which involved a sizeable deposit and passing an exam.

But since the system was deregulated by Fifa last year, anyone without a criminal record and £500 could register with the Football Association as an intermediary.

It is something the United boss believes needs reconsidering.

“It does, everyone knows that,” he said.

“Enough people have said that over the last 48 hours and made it clear there are certain issues around agents which need to be dealt with.”