England fascinated by Swedish match

The World Cup is only five weeks away and David Beckham is still nursing a broken left foot, but England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was preoccupied with domestic matters yesterday as he faced claims that he is having an affair with television presenter Ulrika Jonsson.

Eriksson found himself occupying the front and not the back page as the British Daily Mirror claimed the secret affair began when he met Jonsson at a central London party.

A posse of journalists and photographers spent yesterday chasing Eriksson, his current girlfriend Nancy Dell'Olio, and Jonsson.

Father-of-two Eriksson has been in a relationship with Italian lawyer Dell'Olio for the past three years and she watched from the stands as Sven's England team defeated Paraguay 4-0 at Liverpool's Anfield ground on Wednesday night.

All those involved remained tightlipped, with Eriksson (53) refusing to answer any questions as he arrived at the Cafe Royal in London to address the Institute of Directors.

According to the Daily Mirror, Eriksson and Jonsson, who are both Swedish, were initially friends, but became closer and have been meeting regularly for dinner.

Paul Newman, head of communications at the English FA, said: "This is entirely a private matter."

Jonsson (34), who made her name presenting the television programme Gladiators, refused to comment yesterday. She has been single since splitting from public relations boss Simon Astaire (40) last year.

She married cameraman John Turnbull in 1990, the father of her son Cameron, but they later split.

She then created a stir when she had a relationship with James Crossley, alias Hunter from Gladiators and a stormy fling with footballer Stan Collymore also made headlines.

The TV personality also has had a daughter, Bo, with businessman Marcus Kempen.

It is understood the News of the World was due to run eight pages on the alleged affair tomorrow and has records of text messages and voicemail messages.

At least one other British national newspaper was also chasing the story. The Daily Mirror, which did not have any photographs of Eriksson and Jonsson together, ran its own version in an apparent spoiling operation. Dell'Olio, an Italian lawyer, also refused to comment.

Guardian Service