FA investigating possible security breach at England hotel
FA investigating possible security breach at England hotel
Tuesday, 09, Mar 2010 03:51
By Lewis Bazley.
The Football Association (FA) is believed to be investigating alleged recordings made at the England team hotel ahead of last week's friendly with Egypt.
The Times newspaper reports conversations involving players and coaching staff were secretly recorded in the build-up to Wednesday's 3-1 victory, with the transcripts offered to and refused by national newspapers.
The recordings were said to include tactical discussions and potential bonuses for England squad members at this summer's World Cup.
According to the Times report, the FA's solicitors Charles Russell contacted newspapers yesterday warning the recording - thought to have been made by a member of the public - had been obtained illegally.
Publication of the transcripts would therefore be in breach of both the Press Complaints Code and the Data Protection Act.
A spokesman for the Grove hotel in Hertfordshire where England stayed ahead of last week's friendly said: "We do not know anything about it.
"We have been hosting England for three or four years and provide a very high level of security for them," the spokesman added. "They also bring their own security team. It would surprise me if they had been bugged here."
Fabio Capello will name his provisional World Cup squad on May 16th before the final 23 is unveiled on June 1st.