Post by Taxigirl on Jul 29, 2004 10:28:46 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/england/3931967.stm
Sven-Goran Eriksson's camp has gone on the offensive ahead of a Football Association inquiry into the England coach's relationship with a secretary.
The Swede's job is believed to be on the line after the FA called an urgent meeting following claims he deceived them over his affair with Faria Alam.
But Eriksson's assistant Tord Grip told BBC Five Live: "It's ridiculous. This has nothing to do with football.
"Sven's not worried. The FA's not said anything about him losing his job."
Eriksson's long-term assistant said: "He says they didn't ask him about what was happening in his private life.
"He said he did not lie because nobody talked to him about this."
Grip added: "If we had lost in World Cup qualifying, then I could understand it. But this is absolutely useless.
"In Sweden we don't discuss our private life, we have other things to discuss.
"If it happened in football, then okay, you can go out and criticise and sack people because they haven't done their job.
"But to take so much time to discuss this is not right. Sven is not angry, but I am."
Eriksson's representatives are also publicly confident that the inquiry will exonerate him.
"We are pleased there is going to be a proper investigation so this whole matter can be cleared up," said Athole Still.
Both Eriksson and FA chief executive Mark Palios had an affair with Faria Alam, a secretary at Soho Square.
FA chairman Geoff Thompson is satisfied Palios "did not mislead or attempt to mislead" the organisation.
But at an FA meeting on 5 August, Eriksson's future will be discussed - particularly the issue of whether he misled the organisation.
The FA issued a denial that Eriksson had an affair just days before being forced into an embarrassing U-turn.
Eriksson, who took over as England coach in January 2001, is currently on holiday.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's camp has gone on the offensive ahead of a Football Association inquiry into the England coach's relationship with a secretary.
The Swede's job is believed to be on the line after the FA called an urgent meeting following claims he deceived them over his affair with Faria Alam.
But Eriksson's assistant Tord Grip told BBC Five Live: "It's ridiculous. This has nothing to do with football.
"Sven's not worried. The FA's not said anything about him losing his job."
Eriksson's long-term assistant said: "He says they didn't ask him about what was happening in his private life.
"He said he did not lie because nobody talked to him about this."
Grip added: "If we had lost in World Cup qualifying, then I could understand it. But this is absolutely useless.
"In Sweden we don't discuss our private life, we have other things to discuss.
"If it happened in football, then okay, you can go out and criticise and sack people because they haven't done their job.
"But to take so much time to discuss this is not right. Sven is not angry, but I am."
Eriksson's representatives are also publicly confident that the inquiry will exonerate him.
"We are pleased there is going to be a proper investigation so this whole matter can be cleared up," said Athole Still.
Both Eriksson and FA chief executive Mark Palios had an affair with Faria Alam, a secretary at Soho Square.
FA chairman Geoff Thompson is satisfied Palios "did not mislead or attempt to mislead" the organisation.
But at an FA meeting on 5 August, Eriksson's future will be discussed - particularly the issue of whether he misled the organisation.
The FA issued a denial that Eriksson had an affair just days before being forced into an embarrassing U-turn.
Eriksson, who took over as England coach in January 2001, is currently on holiday.