Further to today’s allegations in the News of the World concerning Sven-Goran Eriksson, The Football Association has this morning requested from the newspaper details of all the conversations which are alleged to have taken place with an undercover reporter in Dubai.
Additionally, FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick has spoken to Sven-Goran Eriksson regarding the allegations and will discuss them further with him tomorrow.
Sven will then attend a meeting with The FA’s Compliance Unit to discuss some of the issues raised in today’s article. This is standard practise with such matters, as in the case with Luton Town manager Mike Newell and Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway.
The Compliance Unit will also interview Athole Still, Sven’s agent who accompanied him to Dubai and is quoted extensively in the News of the World. This follows a meeting earlier today which Athole Still attended at Brian Barwick’s request with Barwick and FA executives at Soho Square.
FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick said: "Allegations made during the past week have not been good for the game's image.
"However, The FA fully appreciates the importance of supporting Sven and the England team in the build up to and during the World Cup this summer.
"We realise how important this is to every England supporter and are fully aware of our responsibility to provide Sven and the team with the best chance of achieving success in Germany. Rest assured, we are committed to doing this.
"I’d like to call on everyone connected with the game to get behind Sven and the team over the next five months as we countdown to what we all believe is one of our best opportunities in a World Cup Finals for many years."