CONFUSION last night surrounded England coach Terry Venables's probe into the £5,000 worth of damage caused to the Cathay Pacific plane which brought his players back from Hong Kong.

Venables thought the matter was resolved when he said after his 24 hour investigation that the players accepted collective responsibility and the matter would be dealt with internally.

His statement sparked accusations of a cover up - and last night the waters were muddied still further when English FA chairman Bert Millichip appeared to suggest Venables was forced into that course of action because none of the players would take the blame.

Millichip said: "I understand that no one has admitted any responsibility for it. David Davies (FA director of communications) told me that and that is why they decided on taking collective responsibility."

Millichip, who will be retiring shortly from his top job at Lancaster Gate, said he was informed of Venables's action by Davies an hour or so after it had been announced to the media. He said: "I was out all day but it's not a question of whether I approve of it - I have to accept it."

His comments suggest that Venables had no option but to spread the blame for the unsavoury episode rather than pin it on the guilty men.

In his statement Venables had said: "Three of the players were very angry that they had taken the blame publicly - and without justification they believe - for the reported damage on the airplane. They told me they were seeking legal advice on compensation for the harm to their reputations.

"I also discussed the situation with other members of the squad. Most of them appeared to have been totally unaware of any problems on the flight until they reached their homes several hours after arriving at Heathrow.

"Financial penalties will be imposed. The players have expressed their sincere regret over the incident."

The players seeking legal advice - are thought to be Paul Gascoigne, Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman.

There has been strong reaction to the incident. Menzies Campbell MP, Liberal Democrat spokesman on sport, said the outcome had devalued the whole side. "This is an unsatisfactory outcome to an incident which has done nothing for English football. Discipline should have been swift and specific."

Chief Supt Brian Mackenzie, president of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales, said: "Most sensible people would be appalled by the incident in the first instance - people in the public eye have a responsibility to behave properly.

"It seems incongruous that there's some kind of collective responsibility being apportioned here particularly as, in a sense, those not involved may be tarred with the same brush."

"It seems to me it's an odd sort of justice to collectively hold the whole team responsible. It would be far better if individuals were held responsible."