England boss Sven Goran Eriksson has defended himself against criticism with regards to his visit to Shanghai at the weekend.
The Swedish tactician has received the wrath of some corners of the press who feel his trip to China was ill-timed, of the opinion that he would have been better served watching his players in Premiership action.
There has also been claims that Eriksson pocketed €200,000 (£140,000) for the visit, but he has been quick to dismiss any such notion, stating that the Football Association had fully approved the trip and that the figure was £18,500 - which went to charity.
"To suggest I was paid €200,000 is laughable. I was actually paid £18,500 and this money is to be donated to the charity I support - Truce International,'' confirmed Eriksson.
"I want to make clear that I went to Shanghai with the full permission of The FA.
''I was promoting a new property venture, but also had meetings with various football organisations.
"These included meeting with the managers of the Chinese national team and of one of their first division clubs, who wanted to draw on the experiences I have had managing in four different countries."
Eriksson was in China for a 'combination of football and business' and having watched two Premiership games live on television whilst in the Far East, he sees little wrong with his actions.
"The visit was a combination of business and football,'' he concluded.
''I should also point out that I spent most of Sunday watching Chelsea v West Ham and Manchester United v Arsenal on public broadcast TV before travelling back to London.
"I watch over 100 matches every season and I believe this shows I monitor the form of the England players very closely.
"I have been very open about this visit, so much so that I held a press conference while in China."
The Swedish tactician has received the wrath of some corners of the press who feel his trip to China was ill-timed, of the opinion that he would have been better served watching his players in Premiership action.
There has also been claims that Eriksson pocketed €200,000 (£140,000) for the visit, but he has been quick to dismiss any such notion, stating that the Football Association had fully approved the trip and that the figure was £18,500 - which went to charity.
"To suggest I was paid €200,000 is laughable. I was actually paid £18,500 and this money is to be donated to the charity I support - Truce International,'' confirmed Eriksson.
"I want to make clear that I went to Shanghai with the full permission of The FA.
''I was promoting a new property venture, but also had meetings with various football organisations.
"These included meeting with the managers of the Chinese national team and of one of their first division clubs, who wanted to draw on the experiences I have had managing in four different countries."
Eriksson was in China for a 'combination of football and business' and having watched two Premiership games live on television whilst in the Far East, he sees little wrong with his actions.
"The visit was a combination of business and football,'' he concluded.
''I should also point out that I spent most of Sunday watching Chelsea v West Ham and Manchester United v Arsenal on public broadcast TV before travelling back to London.
"I watch over 100 matches every season and I believe this shows I monitor the form of the England players very closely.
"I have been very open about this visit, so much so that I held a press conference while in China."
