England coach set to start 'mole hunt' for secret tape

Glenn Hoddle has called for an explanation of the rumours concerning a tape recording of events in the England dressing room after the 3-0 win in Luxembourg last week.

A hunt for an England 'mole' is set to get under way as the existence of the tape will be verified by the end of the week unless the player involved destroys it and the evidence.

Rumours started on Friday that a tape existed and had been made by an England player of exchanges between the coach and his players after the poor display in Luxembourg.

A radio station claimed on Saturday that the England players listened to the tape while travelling back from the match on walkmans and 'The Sun' carried a story that morning which Hoddle dismissed as 'vicious lies' regarding a discussion between the players and coach after the win last Wednesday. Alans Shearer was the focus of 'The Sun' story and may seek apologies from the paper through his lawyers but they stand by their story of unrest in the England squad over tactics and the ability of coach Huddle to secure a place in the euro 2000 Finals.