Eriksson brands Ireland foolish over lies that two grandmothers had
died.
Awol midfielder Stephen Ireland has been branded "stupid" by Sven
Goran Eriksson for lying over his international absence.
Red-faced Ireland has admitted he fibbed by telling the Republic of
Ireland he had to go home because his gran had died.
The FAI laid on a private jet to fly him home from Slovakia after
Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier and he tried to maintain the
deception when they discovered his gran was alive, claiming his
other grandmother had died. Ireland, 21, finally confessed all on
Thursday when the FAI found out his other gran was also very much
alive.
Eriksson said: "It's a stupid thing to do. It's disappointing when
people don't tell you the truth.
"When you talk to your club, your country and your managers, you
must keep to the truth. Don't tell lies, that's stupid.
"The information we got was he had personal problems and that's why
he left his national team.
"Now the facts have come out and he's on his way back. If he does
not have any problems, then he should have been here on Thursday
like the other players."
Ireland claims he panicked when his girlfriend pleaded with him to
come home because she had had a miscarriage.
She suggested he tell the FAI his gran had died to convince them to
let him return. Ireland said: "It was wrong and I apologise."
Republic boss Steve Staunton said: "He made a poor judgment
call."
