With only hours remaining before England's crunch Euro 2004 game in Turkey, the backpages continue to focus on matters well away from the football pitch. Many columnists believe that coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's refusal to pledge his long-term allegiance to the England cause at a Friday press conference signals that he is set to join Chelsea's millionaires.
"End of the affair", says the Guardian and the Daily Mail accuses the Swede of a "Sven sidestep".
 | BACK PAGE HEADLINES The Times: Beckham to lead from front in patriot games The Guardian The end of the affair Daily Telegraph: Beckham turns on charm as Eriksson flounders The Independent: Beckham walks alone through wall of silence The Sun: Becks: "We owe you" (too right mate) Daily Mirror: Something to prove Daily Express: Penny for them Daily Mail: Sven sidestep Daily Star: 90 minutes to heal nation |
As usual, captain David Beckham emerges from a turbulent week best.
"Beckham turns on charm as Eriksson flounders" says the Daily Telegraph.
The Sun calls Beckham on his promise that the England team owe their public a result.
And it jokingly asks Eriksson to sign a statement attesting that he will remain faithful to his job and has not been in talks with Chelsea.
Among all this England furore, previews for the other Home Nation's Euro qualifiers slip off the back page.
As does news about the rugby World Cup, which kicked off in Sydney on Friday.
The Daily Express does detail Lawrence Dallaglio's recipe for World Cup success, calling England's team the perfect blend.
And the Sun comes up with a picture comparison of the England rugby and football teams, showing Becks and company looking sullen, while Dallaglio and co lap up the sunshine on a Perth beach.
Amazingly, Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden's monumental Test innings of 380 barely merits a mention.
MMIX
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