We are becoming more famous outside England, and all for the wrong reasons Sven-Goran Eriksson FA under fire over Smith Players' chief warns Eriksson

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has launched an unprecedented attack on the Football Association in the wake of the Alan Smith affair.

Eriksson rounded on the FA's disciplinary code after Smith was pulled out of the squad hours after a call-up when it emerged he had been arrested following a bottle-throwing incident.

He delivered a thinly-veiled condemnation of new FA chief executive Mark Palios, who was behind the move to axe Smith.

Eriksson, speaking ahead of the friendly against Denmark at Old Trafford on Sunday, said: "We are becoming more famous outside England, and all for the wrong reasons.

"I don't agree with the system and I don't understand why a footballer cannot play when he has not been charged with anything."

Smith was quizzed by police after hurling a plastic bottle into the crowd at Elland Road during the Carling Cup tie against Manchester United.

And Eriksson's discontent was clear after he was left frustrated by Rio Ferdinand's removal from the squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey after he missed a drugs test.

We are not happy about being in this position. It is not right pre-judging people before they are convicted England captain David Beckham

Eriksson said: "The FA knows my opinion. I believe someone is innocent until they are proved guilty.

"The system must be much clearer. Where do you draw the line? There must be clear rules.

"I can live with this, but it is sad that we are not talking about football, we are not talking about Denmark.

"It is bad for our reputation and creates problems, and it has happened for the second time.

"I have to sit in a meeting talking about rules and this and that instead of having meetings about playing 4-4-2. It is bad for everything."

England's players released a statement criticising the FA's handling of disciplinary matters - with captain David Beckham leading the criticism.

He said: "We are not happy about being in this position. It is not right pre-judging people before they are convicted.

Sven is absolutely right. Who's next? It is an absolute farce and it is the FA's fault. From Allister Webb Have your say on 606

"It justifies the point we were making in the last game over Rio Ferdinand. There is not much more to say but the players, staff and the manager feel strongly about this.

"We want consistency and if we have to stand up for ourselves again then we will.

"We will take it as far as we can but it will not affect people who come to see us play."