Ten days that shook the FA

19 JULY: Alam issues a statement claiming: "There is absolutely no truth in this story." She also says she is taking legal advice because she "can 100 per cent categorically deny any involvement with the England coach".
Lawyers for the FA and Alam write to the News of the World stating there is "no truth whatsoever in the suggestion that our client and Eriksson are having, or have had, a sexual relationship".

20 JULY: FA spokesman insists Eriksson denied the accusation.

21 JULY: Reports that Eriksson and long-term partner Nancy Dell'Olio have split.

23 JULY: FA and Alam Lawyers write to papers warning of fake emails about Eriksson's affair are being sold by a former employee and claim it is a hoax.

25 JULY: THE News of the World publishes emails from Alam and further details of her affair with Eriksson. The FA are forced to retract their earlier denial. The FA also have to confirm that Ms Alam had a brief affair with chief executive Mark Palios.

27 JULY: FA chairman Geoff Thompson launches urgent inquiry into the circumstances that led to the association issuing legal statements that were late retracted.
Thompson reveals he had received categorical assurances that Palios had not misled or attempted to mislead the FA, but the statement does not clear Eriksson in similarly specific terms.

5 AUGUST: The inquiry is due to reveal its findings to an emergency meeting of the 12-man FA board .