Football pitch
Police investigation into bribery claims begins. Getty

City of London Police have opened a criminal investigation into allegations of bribery in football following a Daily Telegraph investigation.

The target of the investigation has not been named but a spokesman from the City of London Police has said the former England manager Sam Allardyce is not under examination, according to BBC Sport.

Allardyce has welcomed the decision and hopes it gives him the opportunity to "move on".

A statement from the City of London Police read: "Detectives from the City of London Police Economic Crime Directorate have reviewed material gathered by a recent Daily Telegraph investigation into suspected corruption in football.

"This review of the material has concluded and the decision has been taken to begin a criminal investigation into a single suspected offence of bribery.

Allardyce left his post as England manager the day after the newspaper investigation claimed he offered his advice on how to "get around" FA transfer rules in this country.

A statement from the former West Ham United and Sunderland manager read: "I welcome today's confirmation from City of London Police that I will not be the subject of a police investigation. I was always confident that this would be the case as there was no evidence against me. I now ask that the Football Association deals with this matter as quickly as possible.

"I would like to thank my friends and family who have stood by me during this difficult period. The position of England head coach is the pinnacle of any English manager's career and it was my dream job. While I am sad that my tenure came to an end early, I am nonetheless proud to have been chosen to manage the England football team and hope that today's confirmation from the police will give me the opportunity to move on."