Post by Taxigirl on Apr 16, 2004 9:49:02 GMT
www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,7-1131523,00.html
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has reiterated his opinion that David Beckham will be fully focused on the football at Euro 2004 - despite a difficult few weeks.
The England captain has seen his personal life come under even greater scrutiny after allegations of affairs hit the media.
However, Eriksson - no stranger to the problems of being in the public eye himself - thinks that Beckham is a strong enough character to remain professional.
”I have spoken to his several times, as I usually do,” Eriksson told a fans forum at FA headquarters.
”He's okay. I suppose he could have done without this but there we are.
”When he pulls on an England shirt he will be very focused on what to do. It will be no problem.
”If he doesn't have a good tournament it will be for reasons of fitness levels injuries or whatever.
”The fact is football needs the press and the press needs football.
”The press in this country is very powerful and as long as they talk about football, if they criticise, I have to accept it.
”What I have never understood in this country is the huge interest in your private life.
”In the country I am from, Sweden, and in Italy it was about football, not your private life. It's much better to be on the back page than the front page.”
Eriksson is confident that England can win Euro 2004 - and also took the time to apologise for the lack of recognition given to the fans by the players in the international friendly against Sweden.
”England can win. I always believe that and we have shown it many times.
”There is absolutely no excuse [for not acknowledging the fans]. I will not try to find an excuse for that.
”I can promise you it will never happen again. I'm sorry.”
England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has reiterated his opinion that David Beckham will be fully focused on the football at Euro 2004 - despite a difficult few weeks.
The England captain has seen his personal life come under even greater scrutiny after allegations of affairs hit the media.
However, Eriksson - no stranger to the problems of being in the public eye himself - thinks that Beckham is a strong enough character to remain professional.
”I have spoken to his several times, as I usually do,” Eriksson told a fans forum at FA headquarters.
”He's okay. I suppose he could have done without this but there we are.
”When he pulls on an England shirt he will be very focused on what to do. It will be no problem.
”If he doesn't have a good tournament it will be for reasons of fitness levels injuries or whatever.
”The fact is football needs the press and the press needs football.
”The press in this country is very powerful and as long as they talk about football, if they criticise, I have to accept it.
”What I have never understood in this country is the huge interest in your private life.
”In the country I am from, Sweden, and in Italy it was about football, not your private life. It's much better to be on the back page than the front page.”
Eriksson is confident that England can win Euro 2004 - and also took the time to apologise for the lack of recognition given to the fans by the players in the international friendly against Sweden.
”England can win. I always believe that and we have shown it many times.
”There is absolutely no excuse [for not acknowledging the fans]. I will not try to find an excuse for that.
”I can promise you it will never happen again. I'm sorry.”