Eriksson’s former mistress claims FA boss sexually harassed her

A FORMER English FA secretary who had an affair with England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson yesterday claimed she was sexually harassed by the FA’s executive director David Davies.

Faria Alam, 39, who was Mr Davies’ personal assistant, told an employment tribunal in London that her boss attempted to kiss and hug her and made other “unwelcome advances”. Ms Alam - who also had an affair with the FA’s former chief executive Mark Palios - told the hearing she had been warned Mr Davies had “a bit of a reputation”.

She also alleged two colleagues, Kim Foster and Sarah Ford, had claimed he had “tried it on” with them. Ms Alam said: “During my term of employment with the FA I was sexually harassed at work on several occasions by David Davies, a senior executive at the FA and my immediate manager.”

The former part-time model, who resigned from her job last summer, told the tribunal she had kept a record in a notebook of occasions when she had been the victim of what she claims was sexual harassment. “It was an ongoing form of harassment that started very early on in our working relationship,” she told the tribunal. “I kept the notebook in my drawer at work but it was not returned with my other belongings which were sent to my solicitors by the FA in mid-September 2004.”

Mr Davies last night denied he harassed Miss Alam and confirmed he is to give evidence to the tribunal. The executive, who is due to step down from the role at the FA following next summer’s World Cup, said he was the victim of a “cowardly and callous attack”.

In a statement, he said: “I was immensely saddened to hear these cruel and grotesque allegations against me. They... will be refuted vehemently, not only by myself but also by others.”

Ms Alam, who is claiming she was the victim of constructive dismissal, sexual discrimination, breach of contract and unequal pay, told the tribunal: “He made unwanted physical overtures to me. At his flat on one occasion in 2003, he tried to hold me close and kiss me when I left and he managed to kiss me on the lips.”

The FA said: “We strongly refute the allegations made by Faria Alam and will be mounting a vigorous defence against these claims.”