While the Premier League chief executive described the inquiry as “landmark in the progress of the game”, he is anxious that the agents co-operate.

He told Sky Sports: “My message to them is to co-operate. You should have nothing to hide. Only then can there be a definitive statement.”

However, Scudamore claims that no evidence on bungs has so far been unearthed, adding: “You have to deduce from that that the game is clean.”

He added: “We have had to deal with rumour, speculation and innuendo and all we can do is give Lord Stevens a free hand and go with his findings.

“There is period now where we need proper administrative processes and education of players and administrators.”