The former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for allegedly accepting unauthorised payments on the transfer of players.

Clough's former assistant Ronnie Fenton, the former Arsenal chief scout Steve Burtenshaw and Nottingham Forest Football Club have also been charged.

The BBC's Neil Bennett outlines the charges put by the FA and the possible outcomes (2'44)

Forest have issued a statement saying they will defend the charges brought against the club.

The allegations relate to the transfers of four Scandinavian players about nine years ago.

Brian Clough has vigorously denied that he accepted any illegal payments.

The allegations against Brian Clough and his former assistant Ronnie Fenton relate to the transfer in 1989 of two players from non-league Leicester United to Nottingham Forest.

FA Public Affairs Director David Davies says the charges must be answered (0'46")

Fenton is also charged in connection with the transfer of Norwegian player Alf Inge Haaland to Nottingham Forest.

Steve Burtenshaw is charged in connection with the transfer of Danish player John Jensen to Arsenal.

Philip Soar, Chief Executive of Nottingham Forest plc, said: "The charges referred to all occurred long before the takeover of the club by Nottingham Forest plc and before any of the directors of Nottingham Forest plc were associated with the club.

"It is our intention to vigorously defend any charges made against the club."

There is no specific list of penalties if they are found guilty and they have 14 days to appeal.

David Mellor of the Football Taskforce endorses a compliance and monitoring unit to deter incidents like these (1'29")

Disciplinary measures can range from fines to periods of suspension from the game.

In the past, when the FA has imposed penalties, they have been subject to vigorous legal challenges.

The BBC's sports correspondent Neil Bennett said that would certainly apply in the case of the charges against Nottingham Forest.

"Forest as a club have been charged with financial misconduct. If they are found guilty they could in theory have points deducted, even be relegated.

"But in the past when clubs have appealed against that kind of sanction they have won their case in the courts."

FA public affairs director David Davies said: "We have concluded it must be in the interests of the national sport that serious allegations of wrong-doing in the past are properly considered by a disciplinary commission."

Mel Hart is asked about the prospect of Forest being found guilty and punished (0'-26")

The Chairman of Nottingham Forest Supporters' Club, Mel Hart, said of Clough: "It has tarnished his image a bit but what that man has done for Nottingham Forest is unbelievable.

"Most of the people involved at that time are no longer at the club because you are talking about some five years ago."

It could be several months before the outcome of the case is known.

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