Probe launched after England meeting bugged

London: Fabio Capello's World Cup preparations have been thrown further into disarray by an illegal recording of an England team meeting before last week's friendly against Egypt.

The FA launched an investigation yesterday into how a bug was planted in a meeting room at the team hotel in Hertfordshire.

It is thought the spies have a six-hour recording and FA lawyers have moved to block any publication of the material, claiming a flagrant breach of privacy laws.

While Capello hoped Wednesday's 3-1 win at Wembley had brought a scandal-ridden few weeks to a more positive conclusion, the England manager will now be bracing himself for yet more controversy.

Recording

The FA do not know who is responsible for the recording, or indeed who is in possession of the material, but there is speculation that the contents could be extremely embarrassing.

It has been suggested that England players are heard discussing bonuses they want for doing well in South Africa.

There is also speculation that players are heard joking about sex scandals.

In addition, Capello is said to have discussed tactics.

Given the events of the last few weeks, Capello is sure to be furious.

He has already had to strip John Terry of the England captaincy after news of an affair resulted in Wayne Bridge refusing to play for his country not to mention the Daily Mail expos regarding Terry's Wembley box.

Responsibility

He had to remind his players of their responsibility as role models after Ashley Cole was also the subject of salacious revelations.

Add to that the injuries to influential players, in particular Cole and new skipper Rio Ferdinand, and the build-up to South Africa is far from going to plan.