Eriksson's private life in spotlight again
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-07-28 06:15

Sven-Goran Eriksson's future as England soccer coach is under scrutiny, with World Cup qualifying set to begin in just over five weeks.

The Swede's sexual relationship with Faria Alam, a 38-year-old secretary at the English Football Association (FA), has been front-page news in several of Britain's tabloid newspapers.

Eriksson, 56, is unmarried but has lived for several years with partner Nancy Dell'Olio.

Their highly publicized relationship reportedly ended last week.

The British media said the latest revelations embarrassed the FA and raised questions about Eriksson's conduct.

Alam was working as a personal assistant at the FA, Eriksson's employer. Some papers said his job could be in jeopardy.

"Eriksson left with no margin for error," the Daily Telegraph said in a headline Monday atop its sports section.

The Times called it "no sacking offence" but said officials at the FA were "red-faced" over the incident.

Senior FA board member Dave Richards suggested Eriksson's job may be on the line.

"I am sure the board will want explanations," he told the Daily Mail. "It is very serious. It is something we shall be looking into. The board has the ultimate power to dismiss people."

FA Vice-President Frank Hannah added: "The FA is embarrassed by all this and I expect things to be discussed urgently."

Several newspapers suggested that Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren would be the top choice to replace Eriksson.

The FA issued a statement at the weekend confirming Eriksson had a sexual relationship with Alam. It also confirmed that FA Chief Executive Mark Palios, 52, had a relationship with her.

"Earlier in the week the Football Association made statements on behalf of Faria Alam, denying she has a sexual relationship with the England coach, Sven-Goran Eriksson," the statement said.

"New evidence has been presented to us in the form of e-mails, which Ms Alam has sent to friends about the relationship and, having made further inquiries, we can confirm a relationship took place.

"With regard to Mark Palios, we can confirm an extremely brief relationship did take place."

Palios took over as FA chief executive just over a year ago and has been a strong supporter of Eriksson.

An FA spokesman on Monday declined to comment further.

Eriksson's personal life has been under intense scrutiny since he took the England job more than three years ago. The Swede is the first foreigner to hold the job.

A relationship with former TV celebrity Ulrika Jonsson was front-page news two years ago. Eriksson eventually returned to his long-term partner, Italian-born Dell'Olio.

Last week, his breakup with Dell'Olio was front-page news in Britain's tabloids.

Eriksson is reported to earn about 4 million pounds (US$7.2 million) and is under contract through the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

England opens its World Cup qualifying campaign on September 4 at Austria.

England was eliminated from last month's Euro 2004 championships in a quarter-final loss on penalties to Portugal.

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