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March 29, 2002 (Thursday) from
Jonathan Woodgate Club
Eriksson defends
decision to snub Woodgate
ENGLAND'S
players were last night left in no doubt last night that they must set the
perfect example to their army of supporters.
The national team boss Sven Goran Eriksson outlined the players'
responsibilities as he gave his reasons for leaving out Jonathan Woodgate from
his World Cup squad. In simple terms, Eriksson told the Leeds defender that he
could not justify one rule for the players, and another for the fans.
And the Swedish coach pointed to a new FA rule which bans fans who misbehave for
up to three years from attending the the team's matches.
Woodgate has, in effect, been given a similar ban, with the England manager
insisting that he won't be considered until after the World Cup in June, which
will be three years since his last game for his country.
Eriksson explained that his biggest reason for banning Woodgate until September
was because there are now rules governing England fans who misbehave.
They can now have an exclusion order preventing them from following the national
team for up to three years if they step out of line, and Eriksson believes the
same rules must now apply to the players themselves.
"As long as you have rules for the FA, then it is difficult bringing in
different rules for the players," he said.
"We are trying to defend the image of English football and trying to get
that message across the the fans.
"The main reason for leaving Woodgate out is that there are some rules for
the fans, and they are there to protect the image of English football. As the
international manager, you have to consider that.
"The example the players set is important. The fans have been good in
recent years and we want to keep it that way."
Eriksson also hit back at suggestions that Woodgate is being victimised by
insisting that England are not preventing the player from earning his living.
Many critics have suggested that the Leeds centre-half should have had his slate
wiped clean the moment that he had completed his sentence of 100 hours community
service for his offence of affray.
The same observers have also suggested that England are unfairly denying the
player the right to ply his trade, but Eriksson countered: "He is allowed
to go back to work, because it is Leeds who pay his wages and not the FA.
"That means he is not prevented from earning a living. It is a difficult
decision, but as long as you have rules for the fans then the players have to
stick to those rules as well.
"I think, when you are talking about the image of English football, then
you have to make tough decisions. It doesn't matter what I think of his
footballing ability, I have to look at the wider picture."
For Eriksson, the whole credibility of his England squad is on the line as he
tries to instill discipline before the World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
The FA expect thousands of supporters to travel to back England, and they want
to set the perfect example.
Eriksson though, admits that he doesn't know if the three-year ban slapped on
Woodgate will apply to any other player who steps out of line and picks up a
conviction.
Tony Adams was allowed to return straight back to the England fold after serving
a jail sentence for drink driving, but Eriksson countered:
"Back then, there were different rules for the fans, so we cannot say it is
the same.
"I think that we have to take each case on its merit.
"I don't know now if this is going to be a rule for all of the
England players or not, I think we will have to see what develops.
"But I do believe it is right in this case."
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