If those England players carpeted by the press for staying up to watch Lennox Lewis with Kevin Keegan last weekend are feeling sorry for themselves they should spare a thought for members of the Israel squad who are in decidedly hotter water.

An Israeli newspaper revealed that the team had spent the night before the first leg of their Euro 2000 play-off against Denmark "cavorting with call-girls". (Coincidentally, we're sure, Israel lost the match 5-0). The players now face a government inquiry that could lead to them having lie detector tests to clear their names. "We'll be trying to shed some light on this affair when we return to Israel," said coach Shlomo Sharf, "but if it turns out to be true, it's a pity the players implicated weren't as quick on the pitch as they were at their orgy."