Soccer: Brown cleared of SFA charge
Monday, 9 October 2000 15:57Scotland manager Craig Brown has been cleared of any blame for his part in the controversy surrounding Jim Leighton's autobiography. Brown was called to a meeting of Scottish Football Association's international committee to give his version of the story behind allegations which had been serialised in a national newspaper. The committee announced they were satisfied with his response. The international committee met today and discussed, among other things, matters raised in the serialisation of a book by Jim Leighton, said SFA chief executive David Taylor.
The committee heard an explanation from the team manager and was satisfied that the stories lacked credibility. "The international committee met today and discussed, among other things, matters raised in the serialisation of a book by Jim Leighton," said SFA chief executive David Taylor, "The committee heard an explanation from the team manager and was satisfied that the stories lacked credibility. There is a crucial World Cup qualifying match to be played here (in Zagreb) on Wednesday. The focus must be on football. There will accordingly be no further comment on the Leighton book either from the SFA or from the team manager."
Leighton had alleged that Brown asked him to feign injury during an international match and that he would dismiss goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson if he would end his self-imposed exile from international football. Leighton set off for San Marino and Croatia last Thursday as assistant goalkeeping coach to the Under-21s. But the former Aberdeen and Manchester United stopper was suspended from that role within 24 hours when it became clear that the appointment had caused unrest among the Scotland backroom staff.
Filed by Pat Nugent
