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Football

Lover: I won't dish dirt on Sven

FA secretary to tell story of 'lies, treachery and betrayal'


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LONDON, England (CNN) -- The woman at the center of the sex scandal at England's Football Association will not "dish the dirt" on national coach Sven Goran Eriksson, her publicist says.

But other senior soccer figures will face new embarrassment when Faria Alam -- who slept not only with Eriksson but also with former FA chief executive Mark Palios -- reveals her side of the story in two UK Sunday newspapers.

Eriksson, 56, kept his job after the FA board ruled he had "no case to answer" over claims he misled his bosses about the relationship.

Alam, 38 -- who resigned from her job Thursday -- is set to reveal more embarrassing secrets about the way the FA handled the scandal, her representative, publicist Max Clifford, said.

Clifford said former personal assistant Alam will reveal the "lies, treachery and betrayal" that brought English football's governing body to crisis point.

The controversy was brought to a head by reports in the News of the World last Sunday of an attempt by the FA's communications director Colin Gibson to reveal full details of the Eriksson affair in return for keeping quiet about Alam's relationship with Palios.

The FA accepted Gibson's resignation Thursday.

Alam's story "is going to be more revelations about the FA, conversations they had with her and her legal advisers," according to Clifford.

But while the FA has a lot to fear, Eriksson does not, Clifford added.

"It is certainly not going to be stuff to damage Sven.

"They speak and have spoken everyday on the telephone, certainly until the last couple of days. She is very fond of Sven and he likes her."

Alam is set to make at least £500,000 ($910,000) from exclusive interviews that will appear in the News of the World and Mail on Sunday newspapers and an interview with ITV's Tonight with Trevor McDonald.

The spotlight will continue worldwide with serialization deals with Asian television stations and numerous magazines, beginning in Britain and Sweden.

Alam is feeling "a lot happier" after yesterday resigning her job at the FA's Soho Square headquarters, Clifford said.

"It was something she felt she had no choice in after the meeting she had with representatives from the FA. She felt there was absolutely nowhere for her to go.

"She is not going to rush into a job. She will obviously will be making several hundreds of thousands of pounds from the media.

"She was making something like £35,000 ($63,700) a year so she will not starve."

After Eriksson was exonerated by the FA board Thursday his 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 Web site 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:

"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.

story.thompson.afp.jpg
English FA chairman Geoff Thompson, right, leaves the meeting that cleared coach Eriksson

"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 organization during this period.

"The Board will now commence the search for a new Chief Executive Officer."


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