FA braced for more upheaval

14 April 2012

Football Association chiefs admitted today that they face another turbulent weekend despite clearing Sven-Goran Eriksson of any wrongdoing in the sex scandal at Soho Square.

As the FA embarked on a review of its management failings and began a search for a new chief executive, secretary Faria Alam, who had affairs with the England coach and former chief executive Mark Palios, was preparing to sell her story for £500,000.

Her publicist Max Clifford described the forthcoming revelations as a "unique guide into the people in the very highest echelons of the FA".

Today she spoke of her happiness that the FA did not sack Eriksson for misconduct over their affair. "She is pleased Sven is staying," Clifford said. "She is very fond of him."

One FA insider admitted that, while Eriksson may escape a battering this weekend, the Alam stories are likely to be at the top of the agenda of the FA's scheduled management-board meeting on Monday morning. More damaging revelations could put greater pressure on leading figures at Soho Square, including chairman Geoff Thompson.

He escaped a vote of no confidence at yesterday's meeting in London, but the announcement that he is to be supported by Premier League chairman Dave Richards and Roger Burden, chairman of the FA's amateur game board, is seen by some as a blow to his status.

He cannot be voted out until the next full meeting of the FA council in October.

For now, FA directors are too busy worrying about whether their Sunday breakfasts are yet again going to be ruined by another series of unpalatable revelations.

One FA insider said: "We are all waiting to see what Sunday brings. Then we will have to see what happens next."

After clearing Eriksson yesterday of lying to his employers when initially asked about allegations of a relationship with Alam, the FA Board said: "Deficiencies surrounding management procedures have been exposed and the board are collectively resolved to see these corrected.

"This entire episode has been regrettable for the reputation of football in this country."

The controversy has already led to the resignation of Palios last Sunday and yesterday Alam quit her post.

The resignation of communications director Colin Gibson, accused of trying to do a deal with the media to coverup the Palios affair in return for details on Eriksson's relationship, was confirmed.

Eriksson emerged as the biggest winner after the board decided that there was no case for him to answer.

The Swede was said last night to have been "very relieved and pleased" at keeping his £4million-a-year job.

But it is clear that there is increasing opposition among some board members to his relative lack of success at the 2002 World Cup and at Euro

2004. Failures when England start their World Cup qualifying campaign against Austria and Poland next month could still cost him his job.

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FA braced for more upheaval

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