No case for Sven to answer says FA
LONDON, England -- England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has been cleared of misleading his employers over his relationship with a secretary with an FA statement declaring "there is no case for him to answer."
The FA board met at a London location to decide whether to take action against the 56-year-old Swede in a case that had already claimed the scalp of their chief executive Mark Palios.
Board members accepted the resignation of Director of Communications Colin Gibson but were not prepared to comment on Faria Alam who had affairs with both Eriksson and Palios.
Eriksson's agent, Athol Still, said Eriksson was now looking forward to continuing with his job having served England for three years.
"I called Sven immediately after hearing the news and he was going out for dinner with Tord Grip (his assistant coach)," he said.
"He just said 'good', with a nice chuckle. He is obviously very pleased and relieved. He is looking forward to carrying on with his job."
A statement on the English FA website said: "The FA Board today met to consider the report of the inquiry into why on Monday 19 July 2004 The FA allowed solicitor's letters to be issued and made statements based on misleading information.
"At the meeting The Board spent many hours considering a report prepared by Eversheds LLP, The FA's specialist legal advisors. The Board took further legal advice from external law firm Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP and an employment law specialist John Bowers QC.
"Throughout the inquiry process The Board has been determined to address the facts. At all times The Board has been mindful of the need to follow standard procedures and employment law. Our decisions today reflect a process that is fair to all involved.
"The Board reached the following unanimous decisions:
 Alam, pictured with publicist Max Clifford in London on Thursday, is to sell her story for a six-figure sum |  |
"In the case of Sven-Goran Eriksson, The Board decided on the basis of the report and on legal advice that there is no case for him to answer.
"In the case of Faria Alam, an employee without executive status within The FA, The Board has decided it is not appropriate to make any public statement with regard to her role in this inquiry.
"The FA announces that it has accepted Colin Gibson's resignation. The FA wishes to thank him for his services during his time as Director of Communications.
"Neither The FA nor Colin Gibson will be making any further statement.
"This entire episode has been regrettable for the reputation of football in this country but The Board remain determined to restore the highest standards.
"Deficiencies surrounding management procedures have been exposed and The Board is collectively resolved to see these corrected.
"An immediate review will be instituted with appropriate consultation.
"In the short term, to support the many talented individuals at Soho Square, The Board has decided to appoint the chairmen of its two main boards -- representing the Professional Game, Dave Richards, and the National Game, Roger Burden, to support The FA Chairman, Geoff Thompson in his role of leading the organisation during this period.
"The Board will now commence the search for a new Chief Executive Officer." (end statement)
Gibson offered his resignation after it emerged that he attempted to do a deal with a tabloid newspaper to 'cover up' Palios' affair with Alam in return for giving more detail of Eriksson's relationship with the Bangladeshi-born secretary.
Eriksson's mixed record as England coach had no bearing on today's meeting, even though some board members are thought to be frustrated at his relative lack of success on a $6 million per year salary.
|  English FA chairman Geoff Thompson, right, leaves the meeting that cleared coach Eriksson |
Instead, the investigation related solely to the circumstances behind the initial release of a press statement denying an affair between the Swede and Alam.
The FA were forced into an embarrassing U-turn just a few days later, when it became clear that a relationship had indeed taken place and that Parios had also had a relationship with Alam.
With England's World Cup qualifying campaign just over a month away and a friendly with the Ukraine on August 18, the furore has clearly been an unwelcome distraction.
And the ruling body's embarrassment is likely to deepen on Sunday with Alam set to sell her story to two tabloid newspapers.
Publicist Max Clifford told Sky Sports News that Alam had submitted her resignation to the FA earlier on Thursday
