English FA move to clamp down on ´bug´

Football Association officials are trying to ensure bugged conversations between England players and coaches remain confidential, it emerged on Tuesday.

It is understood talks involving England manager Fabio Capello and his squad at the team’s hotel ahead of last week’s 3-1 friendly international victory against Egypt at Wembley were taped secretly.

Although there has been no public comment by the FA, English football’s governing body, on the issue, their lawyers have contacted British media organisations warning that publishing the contents of any bugged conversations would be illegal under the Data Protection Act.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said reports of bugging were a worry for England.

The veteran Scottish boss found himself caught up in a similar controversy in 2005 when listening devices were found in the home dressing room at United’s Old Trafford ground after a match with leading English rivals Chelsea.

“It happened to us once before,” Ferguson, speaking on Tuesday ahead of United’s Champions League last 16 second leg clash against AC Milan, said.

“I would be concerned about it. You have to be.

“Preparation involves discretion and secrecy. I haven’t revealed one bit of my tactics ahead of the match tomorrow (Wednesday). I haven’t been asked. And do you know why? Because I wouldn’t tell anyone.

“Why should I tell anyone?

“Capello may have been discussing some important issues about his team. All of a sudden someone else has got it.

“It is a concern.”

A spokesman for the Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire, north-west of London, where the England team stayed before the Egypt match, told The Times: “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.

“They also bring their own security team. It would surprise me if they had been bugged here.”

Reports of taped conversations are the latest off-field problem to confront Capello after the Italian was forced to strip John Terry of the England captaincy following allegations the defender had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.