Sven to stay on as England coach

Sven-Goran Eriksson was tonight given the go-ahead to continue as England coach after being cleared of any wrongdoing by the Football Association’s board.

Eriksson was found to have “no case to answer” following the investigation into the Faria Alam scandal which has engulfed the FA over the past few weeks.

Executive director David Davies and chairman Geoff Thompson also escaped disciplinary action although the chairmen of the FA’s two main boards – Dave Richards and Roger Burden – have been asked to “support” Thompson over the next few months.

The detailed inquiry was launched by the FA after their embarrassment at having to correct an earlier statement on the controversy, which denied the affair between Eriksson and secretary Faria Alam.

Alam was alleged to have insisted to her bosses at Soho Square that there was no relationship between her and the Swede, while Eriksson also reportedly told Davies that it was all “nonsense“.

The England coach has nevertheless insisted that he never categorically answered any question about an affair, with any such comments presumably having been meant to dismiss the idea of further intrusion into his private life.

After hearing a lengthy submission from solicitor Peter Norbury, of their specialist lawyers Eversheds, the FA’s 12-man board therefore concluded not to take disciplinary action against Eriksson.

Although several board members are understood to be frustrated at the relative lack of success achieved by the England coach despite his annual salary of more than £4million, they could have faced legal action if they had still tried to sack him without firm evidence of having lied.

Following a lengthy board meeting at the Leonard Hotel, near Marble Arch in central London this afternoon, a statement was finally issued by the FA on their website, www.theFA.com at 8pm.

This read: “In the case of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the board decided on the basis of the report and on legal advice that there is no case for him to answer.

“In the case of Faria Alam, an employee without executive status within the FA, the board have decided it is not appropriate to make any public statement with regard to her role in this inquiry.

“The FA announce that they have accepted Colin Gibson’s resignation. The FA wish to thank him for his services during his time as director of communications.

“Neither the FA nor Colin Gibson will be making any further statement.

“This entire episode has been regrettable for the reputation of football in this country but the board remain determined to restore the highest standards.

“Deficiencies surrounding management procedures have been exposed and the board is collectively resolved to see these corrected.

“An immediate review will be instituted with appropriate consultation.

“In the short-term, to support the many talented individuals at Soho Square, the board have decided to appoint the chairmen of the two main boards - representing the professional game, Dave Richards, and the national game, Roger Burden – to support the FA chairman, Geoff Thompson in his role of leading the organisation during this period.

“The board will now commence the search for a new chief executive officer.”

That search is required as FA chief executive Mark Palios has been left as the main scapegoat of the controversy, along with former PR chief Gibson.

Gibson was alleged to have offered to reveal details of Eriksson’s affair with Alam in order to keep Palios’ own relationship with the same woman out of the original story.

Those efforts failed and, in fact, only served to strengthen Eriksson’s position as it appeared his own bosses were trying to undermine him, thereby strengthening any potential case for unfair dismissal.

The England coach will therefore now be left to take charge of the national side for the friendly against Ukraine in Newcastle on August 18, as well as the start of the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Eriksson was tonight said to be “very pleased and relieved” at the verdict of the FA board, which enables him to continue planning for the 2006 World Cup campaign.

His agent, Athole Still, told the Press Association: “I called Sven immediately after hearing the news and he was going out for dinner with Tord Grip [his England assistant coach].

“He just said ’good’, with a nice chuckle. He is obviously very pleased and relieved. He is looking forward to carrying on with his job.”