Sven hits back

Embattled England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson broke his silence tonight over the controversy surrounding his affair with a Football Association secretary.

The under-fire Swede found himself at the centre of a sex scandal after it was revealed that Faria Alam had had relationships with both Eriksson and FA chief executive Mark Palios.

The FA – which at first denied any affair between Alam and Eriksson – has launched an investigation into the matter after being forced to admit she had flings with both men.

In a statement released by his management tonight, Eriksson, whose future as England coach has been put in doubt by the row, said he had been “so distressed” by inaccurate comment and speculation about his professional integrity that he had decided to speak out.

He denied prior knowledge of the FA statement which sparked the furore.

“I wish to state unequivocally that in keeping with my policy never to comment on my private life, I have at no time either categorically confirmed or denied any relationship with Ms Faria Alam.

“Moreover, neither I nor my advisors had any prior knowledge whatsoever of the statement authorised by the Football Association on behalf of Ms Alam on Monday 19 July, nor of the press release issued by the Football Association on Saturday July 24, nor were either myself or my advisors consulted in any way about the contents of either statement.”

Some critics have called for Sven to be sacked in the wake of the revelations, but in a show of apparent confidence, he indicated he had no plans to go.

He said he welcomed “the opportunity to discuss these matters with the Football Association next week, and I look forward thereafter to our qualification campaign for the 2006 Fifa World Cup.”

Shortly before he released his statement, FA chiefs cancelled a planned press conference next week with the England boss.

Officials said it would be “inappropriate” to hold the event at which the coach was due to discuss his plans for a forthcoming friendly game against Ukraine.

Bookmakers have already begun taking bets on who will replace the manager if he is forced to leave with Charlton’s Alan Curbishley the hot favourite.

An inquiry was announced last Tuesday into the circumstances surrounding the scandal and FA chairman Geoff Thompson has backed Mr Palios.

But while he declared he was satisfied the chief executive had not misled officials, Mr Thompson made no such reassuring comments about Mr Eriksson, sparking speculation over his future.

Mr Thompson is set to report to the FA board next Thursday and anyone found guilty of lying could be charged with gross misconduct, with disciplinary consequences.

Some believe the Swede should be sacked, including former England international Phil Neal, as well as Ms Alam’s brother.

Aswat Alam, 33, claimed the England coach was “weak” not to stand by his sister, a 38-year-old former model, after the affair became public.

Mr Alam, who lives near Seattle in the United States, told The Sun today: “Sven should be a real man and take some responsibility.”

He also defended his sister’s reputation, saying she was definitely not a “loose woman”.

He said: “My sister is not the sort of woman to throw herself at a man. She’s not that kind of girl. I have never seen her pursue anybody. If there was any pursuing, it was from Sven.”

Mr Eriksson, 56, was today on holiday in Sweden and not expected back in England until next week while Ms Alam was also away from the office on annual leave.

Tomorrow the England coach is expected to appear at a football tournament in Amsterdam.

In March, he signed a multi-million-pound extension to his contract to remain as England coach until 2008.

The deal was believed to have boosted his salary to £3.5m (€5.3m) a year.

It is not the first time the Swede’s private life has hit the headlines.

Two years ago it emerged that he had an affair with TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson, a fellow Swede.

Mr Eriksson’s long-term partner, Italian lawyer Nancy Dell’Olio, who is in her 40s, was reported to be outraged at the latest revelations and the couple are believed to have parted company.