Nancy tells of death threats

Nancy Dell'Olio has revealed that she and England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson have received death threats.

She said: "We have been getting these threats for some time on the telephone and written. They want to blackmail me and threaten to kill me. They are in English and Italian.

"It's not very nice but as my grandmother used to say 'envy is what makes trains run'. I have the weapons to defend myself and in the end the truth will come out."

Ms Dell'Olio, 44, did not go into details about the threats in Italian sports daily Gazzetta Dello Sport.

She declared that she and Eriksson were a "winning team", saying: "No one really knows our secrets, our chemistry and the relationship between a man and woman."

Ms Dell'Olio also discussed the reaction after Eriksson's relationship with fellow Swede Ulrika Jonsson was revealed in 2002.

She said: "A week after that first scandal of a supposed affair we went to Highbury for a match. The crowd welcomed us so warmly and started to chant my name. From then onwards I became an Arsenal fan."

She went on: "The impact we have had in England is amazing. First there is the Queen, then the Prime Minister and then the England coach.

"Before me there was never a First Lady of football. It's not an official role but I have a good relationship with the girls, in particular with the wife of the captain, Victoria Beckham. She is a friend, I have been there for her and she has been there for me."