Despite denials by the Football Association, most of the UK's back pages lead with the story that the England squad are in revolt over Rio Ferdinand being dropped for the Turkey game. "The FA are facing a rebellion from their England players and all-out war with Manchester United," says the Daily Mail.
"This sad tale is likely to conclude with Ferdinand punished with a fine and possibly a short suspension but with guaranteed recriminations all round," is the opinion of the Daily Telegraph.
And the Mirror adds: "There is no doubt that the FA's treatment of Ferdinand has turned a squad often characterised as lacking leaders into a militant force to be reckoned with."
While the Sun is among the papers that quotes Sven-Goran Eriksson as saying: " I could not imagine a worse build-up to a match of this importance."
 | THE HEADLINES The Times: Angry players demand that FA reinstates Ferdinand The Guardian FA battles for heart of football Daily Telegraph: United seethe over FA ruling The Independent: United fury as FA excludes Ferdinand The Sun: Revolt - England in meltdown Daily Mirror: We want Rio back Daily Express: Mutiny Daily Mail: England at war as players hit back Daily Star: Walk-out |
And as if lacking Ferdinand was not bad enough for Eriksson, the consensus of opinion in the papers is that Michael Owen will not be fit for the game either.
The Daily Express goes as far as to say that Owen's chances have been "virtually ruled out".
And the paper adds that the "wave of sleaze" currently affecting the game of football in England "will ease the exit route for Sven".
Away from football, Michael Vaughan set off with his England team for their tour of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka "knowing both his honeymoons are well and truly over", according to the Daily Mail.
Vaughan was only able to take a quick week's break after his recent wedding, and now he and his team face a "hiding to nothing" on tour according to the paper.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
