Eriksson warns England could get boot
Sven-Goran Eriksson today warned England fans to behave or risk being thrown out of European football.
Eriksson was responding to a UEFA threat that any repetition of the scenes that marred the Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey at the Stadium of Light could see the country expelled from next year’s showpiece.
The Swede said on Sky Sports News: “What we heard from UEFA is clearly very important. The next time something happens we are out of Europe and that would be absolutely catastrophic for us.
“It is very important that we behave on the pitch and our supporters behave.”
The warning from the England chief comes ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Serbia and Montenegro at Leicester’s Walkers Stadium.
Asked if he had spoken to his players about over-elaborate celebrations, Eriksson added: “I spoke to the players before South Africa and will speak to them before Tuesday and every time we play.
“It would be incredible if we couldn’t go on playing in Europe.”
West Ham’s Trevor Sinclair has a muscle problem and is doubtful for Tuesday.
Eriksson said: “Trevor Sinclair is not fit but he will stay here and we will see if we can use him on Tuesday. If not Tuesday he will almost for sure be fit for Slovakia.”
And after confirming that he plans to play a full-strength against Serbia and Montenegro, the coach said he plans to play both Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney at some stage on Tuesday.
He added: “I do not know who is going to start but both [Heskey and Rooney] will be on the pitch, maybe not for 90 minutes. The crowd in Leicester will see Heskey.”
