Sven denies misleading FA

2004-07-29 21:33

London - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson denied on Thursday he had misled the Football Association over a sexual relationship with a secretary.

Eriksson, on vacation in Sweden, released the statement after two weeks of tabloid frenzy over the relationship with 38-year-old FA personal assistant Faria Alam.

The FA has scheduled a special board meeting for Aug 5 to consider the future of Eriksson and FA chief executive Mark Palios, who also had a sexual relationship with Alam.

The FA initially issued a statement denying Eriksson, 56, had a relationship with Alam, only to acknowledge later that both men had affairs with her.

All involved are unmarried.

Eriksson said he normally didn't comment on his private life but felt compelled to go public because "I have been so distressed by recent inaccurate comment and speculation about my professional integrity."

British newspapers say Eriksson could be dismissed for gross misconduct if it can be proved he gave misleading information which led to the FA making false statements.

"I wish to state unequivocally ... I have at no time either categorically confirmed or denied any relationship with Ms Faria Alam," Eriksson said.

"Moreover neither I nor my advisers had any prior knowledge whatsoever of the statement authorized by the Football Association on behalf of Ms Alam on Monday July 19, nor of the press release issued by the Football Association on Saturday July 24, nor were either myself or my advisers consulted in any way about the contents of either statement."

Eriksson said he welcomed the chance to discuss the events with the FA and looked forward to the start of England's qualification for the 2006 World Cup in September.

"I will be making no further comment on these matters until such time as the Football Association's inquiry has been concluded," he said.

- AP