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Fifa allay England fears over friendly

05/06/2008

England did not receive special dispensation to use seven substitutes in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago last week, Fifa has confirmed.

But this will not affect the status of the game because it was deemed an error on the part of the referee rather than the Football Association or the England coaching staff.

In a statement the world governing body revealed that, despite reports to the contrary, England head coach Fabio Capello was not told he could use up to seven replacement players in the match in the Caribbean last Sunday.

However, because there had been no official complaint over the use of an additional substitute the result and record of the game would be allowed to stand.

Earlier today fears had been raised that the match may have had to be downgraded from an A international because only a maximum of six substitutes is allowed in a full Fifa-sponsored game.

This would have resulted in the withdrawal of first England caps for four players - West Ham United striker Dean Ashton, Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Blackburn Rovers defender Stephen Warnock and Everton's Phil Jagielka.

It would also mean all the other players who took part in the match would have the cap they earned wiped from the record, including the starting captain David Beckham who is on 102 appearances.

Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry's opening goal - his first for England - and Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe's brace would also have been negated.

A statement from Fifa today reads: "Fifa can confirm it did not give special dispensation to make up to seven substitutions at the Trinidad and Tobago v England friendly match played on Sunday June 1st 2008.

"The referee of this match confirmed to Fifa that he received no instruction to allow for such a special dispensation, but that it had been a mistake by the referee.

"As Fifa has received no official protest regarding this match, it shall be considered as an official match."

England won the game 3-0 in Port of Spain in what was considered by many as little more than a glorified training game in a carnival atmosphere at the end of the season.