England escape punishment

England players are involved in another major row today after it emerged they are likely to go unpunished for a tunnel brawl in Turkey.

Television footage showed England stars lunging at opponents at half-time during Saturday's explosive game in Istanbul. Sources at European football's governing body, UEFA, indicated the players were likely to escape punishment but Sports Minister Richard Caborn condemned the players for setting a bad example and called on the authorities to "take the action that is necessary".

He said: "One does not want to see scenes like that. What happens on the playing field on a Saturday is replicated in many school yards on a Monday and Tuesday."

The scuffling-broke out after Turkey's Aston Villa defender, Alpay, poked David Beckham in the face as they walked off at halftime. He also reportedly made abusive remarks about the England captain's mother.

As the players entered the tunnel, Turkey international Hasan Sas allegedly made a racist remark to Arsenal defender Ashley Cole, which provoked an angry reaction, particularly from Liverpool's Emile Heskey.

As part of their inquiry, UEFA today asked the English and Turkish Football Associations to provide statements on the melee.

Officials also said they were studying footage of Alpay's poke at Beckham, which was not seen by the referee. UEFA are expected to take several days to decide whether to take action. Spokesman Mike Lee said: "The matter is still under investigation. We have to decide whether to do things such as interviewing witnesses."

Lee said referee Pierluigi Collina "was able to see most of what happened in the tunnel himself and in fact dealt with what happened "extremely well".

Lee added: "He spoke to David Beckham and Alpay and calmed things down. We have to make sure that he did not miss anything before deciding whether or not to take disciplinary action."

Collina and a UEFA delegate were not expected to make too much of the incident.