Basketball: England team in open revolt

ENGLAND'S players ripped the lid off the team's impoverished international programme ahead of tonight's crucial European Championship game against Israel in Manchester, by revealing they were fed on Pot Noodles and chocolate biscuits before Wednesday's 60-55 win in Belarus.

Now, despite a win which propelled them to third place in their semi- final round group, they are in open revolt. Threatening not to play for the team next season, a joint statement said: "There is currently no accountability within the corridors of power in English basketball and no respect for national team members."

Snack foods were the only provision made by the English Basketball Association to compensate for substandard food in Belarus.

The coach, Laszlo Nemeth, said: "I am totally committed to the players but have no respect for chief executive Steve Catton and the Association."

Catton responded by saying: "No one wants to be associated with a team who behaves like this."