Stop McClaren abuse says FA chief

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LONDON, England -- Beleaguered England coach Steve McClaren has suffered unfair "personal vilification and abuse", according to Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick.

McClaren was subjected to vitriolic criticizm from supporters who called for him to be sacked and chanted abusive taunts throughout the 3-0 Euro 2008 qualifying win over Andorra in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Barwick was incensed by the personal nature of the abuse and insisted that, even though fans are entitled to express their opinions, they must show more respect.

"This past week has shown just how the fortunes of the England team get people's emotions fired up," Barwick told the FA's Web site. "England matters and we wouldn't want or expect it any other way.

"With that, of course, on occasions comes criticizm. Steve McClaren and his players know that and so do I.

"Everyone has the right to give their opinion, that's the beauty of the game, and the England fans, the most dedicated group of supporters in the world, are entitled to air theirs.

"Over the past two matches, they have also loudly expressed their frustration during parts of the games. I buy that as their right, no problem.

"I do however feel that there is a line to draw between acceptable criticizm and personal vilification and abuse. One's fair, the other isn't."

Barwick believes former Middlesbrough boss McClaren can still lead England to the Euro 2008 finals, despite a series of lackluster displays that have left the team three points behind Group E leaders Croatia.

If England had failed to beat part-timers Andorra it would have made McClaren's position virtually untenable and he still faces a massive struggle to convince the fans that he is the right man for the job.

He has shown increasing signs of cracking under the pressure of trying to turn England's fortunes around and stormed out of a post-match press conference on Wednesday after less than two minutes.

But it was Barwick who appointed McClaren as Sven Goran Eriksson's successor last year after failing in an attempt to sign Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and he is sticking with his man, although his statement of support for the beleaguered boss was hardly a resounding vote of confidence.

"I know how hard Steve and everyone connected to the team is working," Barwick added. "He's a strong man and I know from speaking with him just how determined he is to deliver success for England.

"I, like everyone else at the FA, will be doing everything I can to help Steve and the team win their next Euro qualifier in Estonia in June.

"We all want to see a successful England team, that goes without saying. Of course we would like to be top of the group at this stage, but our fate is still in our hands and that's vitally important.

"We all want to see England playing in Austria and Switzerland next summer."

Huge task

Despite public backing from the players, McClaren faces a huge task in trying to win over the public before the next Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia.

Patience with the English national side was already wafer thin after a poor World Cup finals when McClaren was Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant.

The 0-0 home draw with Macedonia followed by a 2-0 away defeat by Croatia, the stalemate in Tel Aviv and Wednesday's scrappy victory against one of the worst teams in world football has further eroded faith in the team.

Captain John Terry, however, also pointed the finger at England's fans.

"They are entitled to their opinions, but for the players' sake and England's sake, it would be a lot better if they kept it until after the game," he said.

"The booing and the shouts about the manager aren't helping."

Liverpool's Gerrard, who reveled in his central midfield role in the absence of injured Frank Lampard, added: "It was one of the most difficult 45 minutes I've experienced in an England shirt. We could hear the abuse and there was a lot of pressure."

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