January 23, 2002 17:27

SVEN WILL THEY DECIDE?

The English Football Association dismiss tabloid reports that the Swede popsters will be soundtracking their boys' bid for glory...

The English Football Assocation have described claims that Swedish popsters Cardigans will record ENGLAND's official song for the World Cup as "completely untrue."

A report in this morning's Sun (January 23) claims that Cardigans frontwoman Nina Persson said she was "very keen" because England manager Sven Goran Eriksson is idolised by fans back in Sweden. However, the FA spokesperson was keen to debunk the claim.

"I've no idea where that came from," he said. "The FA are currently considering options for the artist and song that will be the official release. We're somewhere close to concluding our search."

While denying Cardigans were in the frame, he refused to name anyone who was. He also refused to comment on whether, given the nationality of the England manager, the FA would entertain songs from rising Swedish stars such as Hives or Soundtrack Of Our Lives.

"We believe the England song will be something that fans will be proud of and get behind. It's not in anyone's interest to discuss it at the moment."

There was an outcry amongst hardcore fans when Eriksson was appointed, unhappy that a foreign coach was taking over the national side. However, the chorus of disapproval subsided when Eriksson guided the team to the World Cup Finals in South Korea and Japan, despite a pathetic start to their qualifying campaign under former boss Kevin Keegan. An official song from a Swedish artist may be step too far for fans though. England must play Sweden in the first round of the competition, which kicks off in Seoul on May 31.

As previously reported in the NME, joke outfit Fat Les - who count actor Keith Allen and Blur[/url] bassist Alex James amongst their members - have teamed up with actor Ricky Tomlinson and all-girl trio Atomic Kitten to record a track called 'On Me 'Ed, Son' which they are keen to release as the official anthem.