It's been going on for years this paying of 'sweetners' to players agents/families.
I'll tell you something that's happened recently. My lad plays football at U11s level and in the last 18 months I've known two lads go from one club to another, premier league/championship clubs, and the parents of these lads have had vouchers, club kits, weekend breaks,petrol money, season tickets thrown at them so their lad will sign.
This is at aged 11 years old!
It goes on at every club all year round, some things get overlooked and some things get brought to light.
You can't tell me these agents don't get a phone call out of the transfer loop from a club wanting his player offering a few...ahem....sweetners to said agent if player X signs.
It isn't something new yet der Spiegel think they've just invented the wheel with their latest 'scoop'.
Next.