Eriksson says crowd problems could cost England dear

Eriksson has sent out a personal message to England fans, praising them for their passion, but warning of the threat posed by misbehaviour.

"England is unique in having a warning from Uefa hanging over us," he said.

"We have been shown the yellow card - we cannot afford any more problems," warned the England coach.

In an uncharacteristically personal statement, Eriksson warned England followers that any problems caused by them could see the team thrown out of the tournament.

No other country enjoys such huge support when it travels, and it gives the players an enormous lift Sven-Goran Eriksson

"There is so much going on to ensure that events off the field of play do not jeopardise our fortunes on it," he said.

He said fans had a "weighty responsibility" to behave properly in Portugal, and said any repeat of the scenes which had "clouded" past tournaments would be disastrous.

"This must not happen; for the players, for the vast majority of decent fans, for the nation as a whole," he said.

"The image of our game, and the country, would be damaged beyond imagination.

The coach was keen to stress the positive role that fans could play, provided their passions were channelled correctly, as happened at the World Cup in Japan and Korea.

"No other country enjoys such huge support when it travels, and it gives the players an enormous lift.

"I hope the supporters conduct themselves as they did at the World Cup. They left such a positive image - dedicated to their team, respectful to their hosts.

"We want to show England in the best possible light," he said.

The association bringing the fans is responsible for the behaviour of those fans, that includes not only the venue but other places too Uefa's Lars-Christer Olsson

"The players and I will do our bit; we need the fans to do theirs. I am confident they will,"

Eriksson's plea comes as the Football Association faces a looming row with Uefa over responsibillity of all England fans in Portugal.

The FA is to seek clarification about comments by UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson that they would have to take the rap for outbreaks of disorder involving any England fans

Olsson said: "The association bringing the fans is responsible for the behaviour of those fans, that includes not only the venue but other places too.

"What England cannot escape from is the responsibility around Englishmen."