By Scarlett Elworthy

Eriksson in the dock

Thirteen is said to be a fated number and Sven-Goran Eriksson could well find that his luck is indeed up on Thursday.

On that day the 13 men who make up the Football Association board will rule on whether the England boss misled the organisation over his affair with an FA personal assistant.

Embarrassed FA officials have called the emergency meeting after being forced to retract a statement issued last week denying Eriksson's affair with Faria Alam.

Eriksson's position is said to have been strengthened after chief executive Mark Palios quit in the wake of a claim by the News of the World that it was offered full details of the coach's affair in return for keeping quiet on Palios.

Eriksson does not fear sack

FA media boss Colin Gibson, the man alleged to have offered that deal, has also offered to resign.

Now, as attention turns to Eriksson, BBC Sport profiles the personalities charged with deciding whether the Swede, contracted until 2008, will lead England into the next World Cup, or whether his time is up.

The chairman of the board has been an FA councillor since 1973 and is also on the FA's disciplinary committee.

Devon's FA representative was the first to break ranks on this matter when he told The Guardian that the organisation had been made to "look like idiots" in their handling of the Eriksson affair.

One of two vice-chairmen, Kiddell has been Norfolk's FA representative for the last 24 years.

Chairman of Bolton who was elected to the board in the summer. Also a member of the FA Challenge Cup committee.

Arsenal's vice-chairman holds the same title with the FA. A member of the international committee, Dein was instrumental in Eriksson being appointed in the first place.

Forthright Southampton chairman who has been on the FA board since 2003.

Gloucestershire's FA representative for nine years.

Chairman of the Premier League and former chairman of Sheffield Wednesday. Has served on the FA council for 10 years.

East Riding's FA representative since 1989.

Chairman of Ipswich and former chairman of the Football League. Member of the FA board since 2003 and a member of the international committee.

The FA county member for Dorset since 1988. Also sits on the disciplinary committee.

Chairman of Colchester and a board member for six years. Also sits on the disciplinary committee.

Kent's FA representative for 20 years and chairman of the disciplinary committee which handed down an eight-month ban to Rio Ferdinand for missing a drugs test.