Shearer upset and Hoddle condemns 'vicious lies'

England captain Alan Shearer threatened legal action at the weekend over reports that he had criticised coach Glenn Hoddle after the poor performance against Luxembourg last week.

When asked to explain the recent run of form by the England team Shearer said it may be the fault of the coach according to 'The Sun' newspaper on Saturday.

Hoddle described the story as 'vicious lies' and said he had spoked to Shearer who had expressed shock at the story and would instruct his lawyers to get an apology.

However, the story related to events after the Luxembourg match in the England dressing room and several players have said that they heard nothing to support 'The Sun;' story on Wednesday night. There was a team meeting on the day before the Luxembourg and and it was here that players and coached tried to get at the root of England's poor run of form which has threatened their place in euro 2000.

Stories get leaked to the press because the players feel unable to suggest that recent poor form was the result of fractured morale after the 'World Cup Diary' publication by the coach and the use of the faith healer Eileen drewery.

The most public 'success' of drewery - Darren Anderson - continues to play for England despite a clear lack of fitness and health and any suggestion that he is anything other than an invalid is pretence. He keeps playing to demonstrate the effectiveness of the faith healing techniques but is not fit and cannot help the side. Players know this and unrest exists in the England camp 'vicious lies' or not.