No rap for England players

"It has also been noted that Sven-Goran Eriksson was subject to harsh treatment in certain quarters. Just to put the record straight, his position as national team coach was never in danger and the International Committee did not meet to discuss the matter. Hopefully, taking four points from two difficult away games will have silenced some of the critics of the team and the national coach."

The media blackout is certain to place a strain on relations between the Football Association and Sky, who own the rights to England's home matches in a £150million deal.

Sky presenters reacted angrily on air last night to the protest and senior sources at the broadcaster condemned the move by the players with one insider calling on the FA to tackle the increasingly militant England team.

He added: "The players are out of control and it's a problem that needs to be sorted out. They have too much power."

But players' union boss Gordon Taylor today supported the England team for their tough stance.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, said: "They are paid for what they do on the pitch and not off it.

"There's a strong feeling of unity in the squad and I can understand if they feel that things have gone too far. I wouldn't expect the boycott to continue." The media blackout is, however, the latest example of a hardening of attitude in the England squad.

The players threatened to go on strike in support of Rio Ferdinand last year and made it clear that they wanted then chief executive Mark Palios, rather than Eriksson, to resign following revelations that they both had an affair with the same secretary this summer.