SVENGATE TIMELINE FA clears Eriksson

Eriksson had pleaded his innocence to the FA of any charges of misleading them about his affair with secretary Faria Alam.

The FA board gathered at a secret location in London to hear the evidence and finally exonerated the England coach.

But how did this all come about? We take a look at the events in the saga that saw Eriksson's job on the line.

The News of the World reports that Eriksson, who two years ago admitted to an affair with television presenter Ulrika Jonsson, had a relationship with Alam, a secretary at the FA.

An FA spokesman denies the News of the World accusations that Eriksson had an affair with Alam.

The statement said there was "no truth whatsoever in the suggestion that our client and Mr Eriksson are having, or have had, a sexual relationship".

The News of the World is contacted by lawyers acting for the FA and Ms Alam.

The News of the World publishes emails from Ms Alam and further details of her affair with Eriksson. The FA is forced to retract its earlier denial.

"Earlier in the week the Football Association made statements on behalf of Faria Alam denying that she had a sexual relationship with the England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson," said a statement.

"New evidence has been presented to us in the form of e-mails which Ms Alam has sent to friends about the relationship and, having made further inquiries, we can confirm that a relationship did take place."

The FA also confirms Ms Alam had a brief affair with Palios.

FA board member David Henson says he is outraged at how the matter has been handled.

"It makes us look like idiots because there was a denial and then we were told that it did happen," he said.

"We are left looking like mugs and that can't be right. We have been left high and dry."

FA chairman Geoff Thompson announces that the FA were conducting an inquiry into the matter and would reveal their findings at a special board meeting on 5 August.

He reveals he had received categorical assurances that Palios had not misled or attempted to mislead the FA, but the statement does not clear Eriksson in similarly specific terms.

Phil Neal, former England assistant manager, calls for Eriksson to be sacked if he is found to have lied to the FA.

"If Eriksson let that first statement go out knowing it to be untrue, then he must question his own judgement and resign," he said.

"As a manager, if a player lies to you there is distrust straight away. If he has lied, there is a question mark over whether he is fit to do the job."

Eriksson retreats home to Sweden.

The FA cancels Eriksson's press conference at St James' Park where he was due to discuss England's qualifying campaign.

Eriksson issues a statement saying he is distressed at recent inaccurate comment.

"I wish to state unequivocally that in keeping with the above policy I have at no time either categorically confirmed or denied any relationship with Ms Faria Alam," he said.

Eriksson states that he welcomes the opportunity to discuss the matters with the Football Association next week.

FA executive director David Davies claims he will offer his contribution to the investigation "over the next few days".

England assistant coach Tord Grip calls on the FA to make a swift decision over the future of Eriksson.

"They must go out and tell him and be very straight and say, 'Okay, you should not be here any longer'.

"They should do that but not for something done wrong in his private life but for something done wrong with the national team."

Further revelations in the News of the World claim the FA's director of communications Colin Gibson tried to do a deal with the newspaper in which he would give them information on Eriksson's affair with Alam in return for leaving Palios out of the limelight.

Pressure mounts on FA officials to take the heat as Eriksson's future looks brighter.

At 1800 BST, Palios offers his resignation to Thompson, but claiming "I do not accept I have been guilty of any wrongdoing", and it is immediately accepted.

Gibson also offers his resignation.

The Football Association's acting boss David Davies hints Eriksson's job may be safe despite the crisis engulfing the FA.

Davies, installed as the temporary replacement after Mark Palios's resignation, said: "It's a time for us to rally the staff and Sven is very popular and respected by the players. Sven has a consistent track record everywhere he has worked."

But Eriksson himself says nothing as he turns up for his first day at work after returning from holiday

Eriksson gives evidence to the FA's independent lawyer and is told he does not need to attend Thursday's meeting in person.

Despite pressure to make an announcement, FA officials remain tight-lipped.

David Davies also denies reports he is quitting as the FA's acting chief executive after two days in the job.

Davies insists the leadership team assembled would continue to work to repair the damage.

The FA board meets at the Leonard Hotel in central London to hear evidence from Peter Norbury, the independent lawyer who has interviewed both Sven-Goran Eriksson and Faria Alam.

After a day of expectation the FA posts a statement on its website saying Eriksson has "no case to answer".