FA takes legal action after bugging scam

The Football Association have taken legal steps to ensure that bugged conversations between England players and coaches from two weeks ago remain under wraps.

Discussions involving England manager Fabio Capello and the squad are understood to have been secretly taped ahead of the recent friendly against Egypt.

The FA's lawyers have contacted media organisations warning that publication of the contents of the recording would be illegal and a breach of the Data Protection Act and Press Complaints Commission rules.

The secret recording is yet another unwelcome issue for Capello to be faced with in the build-up to the World Cup after the England coach was forced to replace John Terry as captain following revelations about the Chelsea defender's private life.

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted news the England team has been bugged was a concern.

Although the precise details have not been leaked, it is thought the team meeting room at England's Watford hotel was bugged before the friendly with Egypt.

Ferguson and Manchester United were at the centre of a similar controversy in 2005 when listening devices were found in the home dressing room at Old Trafford after a key encounter with Chelsea.

And before a World Cup campaign he thinks the latest development is a worry.

"It happened to us once before," he said.

"I would be concerned about it. You have to be.

"Preparation involves discretion and secrecy. I haven't revealed one bit of my tactics ahead of the match on Thursday. I haven't been asked. And do you know why? Because I wouldn't tell anyone.

"Why should I tell anyone?

"Capello may have been discussing some important issues about his team. All of a sudden someone else has got it.

"It is a concern."

Manchester United employ security personnel to conduct regular sweeps of their dressing rooms after they were bugged four years ago and England will now have to adopt similar measures.