Woody leaves FA in no-win situation

MORE than 25 years in management have not prepared Sven-Göran Eriksson for the item that refuses to disappear from the top of his in-tray. It is a file marked "Jonathan Woodgate" and it sets off alarms throughout the FA's headquarters every time it is opened up. 

The dilemma facing the England head coach, as well as senior staff at the FA, is whether to clear the Leeds United defender for international duty. Discussions continued yesterday, but those who sat in judgment are said to be no nearer resolving an argument that has taken Eriksson from the football pitch and plunged him into a debate on race, ethics and social responsibility. 

There are not so much divided camps in Soho Square as people wrestling with their consciences, because there is no precedent or regulation for them to follow. The postbag has only increased their burden. A significant number of correspondents believe that Woodgate, having been convicted of affray though cleared of assault, should never play for his country again. He won his solitary cap in Bulgaria under Kevin Keegan. 

That opinion is most strongly held among those who do not regard themselves as committed football supporters because they see Woodgate not as a partner for Rio Ferdinand but as a participant — however fleetingly — in an incident in which a brutal assault took place. 

Just as Mike Tyson will always be seen as a rapist rather than a boxer by those with no interest in pugilism, so the centre half's conviction for affray will ensure that those with only a passing interest in the sport will always associate him with the terrible injuries inflicted on Sarfraz Najeib. This summer's World Cup is, of course, precisely when those occasional fans will be glued to every England game. 

The civil case launched by the victim's family and the accusations of racism have further complicated the FA's decision, as has the revelation that, had he been a supporter, Woodgate's conviction would have prevented him from travelling with England fans — formally the England Members Club — to Japan and South Korea. But even that is not clear-cut because Woodgate the fan could claim that he was not found guilty of causing any injuries and have his three-year ban lifted on appeal. There will be no review once the FA has made its decision about Woodgate the player, which is why Adam Crozier, the chief executive, has not rushed into any announcement.

On the other side of the argument, he and his colleagues have to consider whether Woodgate deserves to be punished beyond the sentence of the court. Leeds will certainly argue that, by serving his 100 hours of community service, the player deserves to have the slate wiped clean. 

The busy programme has made it difficult for Woodgate to serve his punishment and, with his good works likely to continue for another seven weeks, he will take no part in the match against Holland in Amsterdam on February 13. The same can be said of Lee Bowyer, his club colleague, even though he was acquitted in the same trial at Hull Crown Court. The midfield player faces two charges at an FA hearing on February 5 and, if he is banned from club games, will not be considered for the national side during that time. After that, Eriksson would be free to pick Bowyer, although he would want to consider the player's impact on the camaraderie of the squad. 

The case of John Terry, the Chelsea defender, is the simplest of all, with a suspension from international teams due to be announced shortly. Charged with actual bodily harm and affray after an incident outside a London nightclub, Terry will not be considered until the case is heard, although the FA is keen to emphasise that these decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Charges involving physical assault will be viewed differently from those of shoplifting, for example. 

It is, however, the Woodgate file that is exercising the minds of the FA, because this, as one source said yesterday, "is a case of damned if we do and damned if we don't". The temptation might be to do nothing — it would not be the first time — but a decision is promised, however long it takes to find and however controversial the outcome.

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