FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

England boss Glenn Hoddle had showdown talks with Teddy Sheringham on Friday following newspaper revelations that the striker was seen drunk in a nightclub one week before the start of the World Cup.

Hoddle plans to see the Manchester United star again on Saturday before deciding what action to take.

Football Association (FA) director of public affairs David Davies said:

“Glenn Hoddle has spoken to Teddy Sheringham now that England’s World Cup squad is together again. He is establishing all the facts of the situation that was reported in some of today’s newspapers. The players have trained this afternoon as part of their preparations for France. Glenn and Teddy will speak again tomorrow before any further comment is made.” 

Hoddle could well find he has little alternative but to punish Sheringham after setting a precedent in his handling of Paul Gascoigne. Hoddle claimed he left the controversial Middlesbrough star out of his World Cup squad because he was not fit, but Gascoigne did not help his cause by going out on the town with his celebrity friends, rock star Rod Stewart, and DJ’s Danny Baker and Chris Evans. His dedication to the England cause was questioned after he was pictured eating kebabs in the early hours of the morning after a night out on the town.

Sheringham’s starting place in France is already under threat from Liverpool’s 18-year-old goal sensation Michael Owen. And he will not have strengthened his claims in Hoddle’s eyes by jetting off to Portugal when Hoddle had told his players to relax at home.