The Daily Mirror quotes Bates as saying that loans were made for "anything from holidays to home improvements".

He adds: "I have been told that the staff committee have been awarding these loans to themselves without security and without approval from the appropriate finance committee."

But acting chief executive David Davies insisted that any loans had been made in the proper manner.

David Davies: In charge since Graham Kelly's resignation

He said: "The FA has never issued interest-free loans to staff. Any loans there have been have always been authorised.

"No new loans have been issued in the last year. Similar loans to staff are made by many organisations."

Bates is ready to stand as an interim FA chairman is current boss Keith Wiseman steps down next week.

He is expected to face a vote of no confidence when the FA Council meets on Monday and Bates is ready to put himself forward as a modernising force.

Wiseman has been under severe pressure following the resignation of chief executive Graham Kelly in the wake of controversy over a £3m grant to the Football Association of Wales.