Eriksson anger as FA blow his cover

14 April 2012

Sven-Goran Eriksson is furious with his FA bosses for confirming his affair with a Soho Square secretary.

As pressure mounted on the England coach yesterday, the Swede sought to blame his employers for the latest public outcry over his private life.

Premier League chairman and senior FA board member Dave Richards said: 'I am sure the board will want explanations. It is very serious. It is something we shall be looking into. The board has the ultimate power to dismiss people.'

Eriksson is angry over the manner in which they have handled the situation regarding newspaper revelations about an affair he has had with fellow FA employee Faria Alam.

He denies having discussed the issue with anyone at the FA's Soho Square headquarters, yet a statement was released at the weekend in which the FA said that the affair had taken place. Having made a point of never commenting on his personal life, the former Lazio coach suspects there is a hidden agenda behind a decision by his employers to go public.

The woman at the centre of the scandal is also reported to have had an affair with FA chief executive Mark Palios. The immediate confirmation could be seen as a device for diluting interest in Palios, which would have intensified if no acknowledgement had been made.

There is no evidence that Eriksson is ready to quit his £4million-a-year job, but his resolve is being tested as never before.

His conduct was heavily criticised when news of his affair with TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson broke and he confessed to being shocked by the public reaction to his infidelity. Despite the latest revelations, he has repeatedly told the FA that he does not believe that he has anything to answer, with regards to Ms Alam, and would not be drawn into a public debate.

He believes it has no relevance to his England duties but this latest 'in-house' indiscretion is believed to have cost him some allies in the corridors of FA power.

FA vice-president Frank Hannah said: 'The FA is embarrassedby all this and I expect things to be discussed urgently.'

Eriksson would have to be compensated substantially if sacked.

But last night his agent Athole Still said: 'Sven is very committed to the job and is looking forward very much to leading England into the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

'There is absolutely no question of him leaving his job over this matter.'

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Eriksson anger as FA blow his cover

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