FA head backs Venables

TERRY VENABLES has received welcome support from the chairman of the Football Association after the England coach's integrity was called into question by a judge. Sir Bert Millichip believes Venables should lead England to the 1998 World Cup.

Venables's reputation was called into question during a court case last week but Sir Bert, who plans to discuss the situation with Venables in the next few weeks, says: "He is on the right track and he is the right man to take us up to the 1998 World Cup and beyond."

Meanwhile, on the eve of today's European Championship finals draw in Birmingham, Uefa's president, Lennart Johansson, has warned that European nations could boycott the World Cup if Fifa's president, Dr Joao Havelange, goes ahead with his plans to award the 2006 finals to Africa.

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