More players back Eriksson

2004-07-31 18:27

London - Frank Lampard and John Terry became the latest England players to support national coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who could be fired after it was revealed he had an affair with a Football Association secretary.

English soccer's governing body has scheduled a special board meeting this Thursday to discuss the future of Eriksson and FA chief executive Mark Palios. Palios also had a relationship with Faria Alam. All three involved aren't married.

The saga has embarrassed the FA, which released a statement last week denying Eriksson had an affair, only to admit days later both men had relations with the 38-year-old.

"People don't seem to take any notice of the loyalty the players have to the manager," Lampard said in several British newspapers on Saturday. "It's strange because it counts for nothing outside, but we see it inside the camp, where it counts for everything.

"The players are united in that feeling, and they will give everything for him. It would be an absolute shame if he were forced out over this."

Most British newspapers have used the story on front pages this week, and Eriksson, intensely private, took the unusual step of issuing his own statement on Thursday. He said he didn't confirm or deny having a relationship with Alam and was unaware the FA released statements.

Eriksson, 56, attended a pre-season club tournament in Amsterdam on Friday.

"We understand how it works, but ever since I was a kid, the England manager has been getting this sort of treatment, and it has nothing to do with what goes on on the pitch," Lampard said.

Terry, who could be forced to the bench once fellow defender Rio Ferdinand returns from a suspension, said the players speak "very highly" of Eriksson.

"Even if he comes back after the summer and puts Rio back in, I'll still be right behind him," he said. "We play for him every time we put the shirt on, and he knows how to get the lads going."

England captain David Beckham backed Eriksson earlier this week, calling him a "great man to me and a great man to the rest of the players."

The off-field ordeal is the latest to affect the Swede in his 3 1/2 years in charge. A relationship with former TV celebrity Ulrika Jonsson was front-page news two years ago.

He was also criticised after England was eliminated in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.

- AP