England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has denied any wrongdoing amid allegations of an affair with a Football Association secretary.
Eriksson’s position is in doubt after the FA called an urgent meeting following claims he misled them over his affair with Faria Alam.
In response to the speculation, Eriksson issued a statement through his agent.
“With regard to the Football Association’s forthcoming enquiry announced on July 27th into ‘the circumstances which led to the FA issuing legal statements based on misleading information’, I wish to state unequivocally that … I have at no time either categorically confirmed or denied any relationship with Ms. Faria Alam,” Eriksson said in a statement released by his agent.
“I welcome the opportunity to discuss these matters with the FA next week,” the England coach added.
“It is my policy never to comment on my private life. This policy has always been fully understood and accepted by my employers, the Football Association,” added Eriksson.
“However, I have been so distressed by recent inaccurate comment and speculation about my professional integrity that I feel I must now make the following statement.
“Neither I nor my advisors had any prior knowledge whatsoever of the statement authorised by the FA on behalf of Ms Alam on 19 July, nor of the press release issued by the FA on 24 July, nor were either myself or my advisors consulted in any way about the contents of either statement.
“I therefore welcome 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.
“I will be making no further comment on these matters until such time as the Football Association’s enquiry has been concluded.”
