Hodgson criticises Wembley NFL game

Roy Hodgson

England boss Roy Hodgson has questioned the Football Association’s decision to allow an NFL game to take place at Wembley six days before his side’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia.

Sunday’s match between Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys is the third NFL match at Wembley this year.

“I don’t really think you could expect me to say ‘excellent, delighted, well done’,” said Hodgson.

“If I was asked if it was a good thing or not, I would have to say not.”

Hodgson, who gave West Brom striker Saido Berahino a first senior international call-up on Thursday, added: “I can’t pretend it is something that makes me leap for joy.

“The pitch, unfortunately, is not in the best of nick anyway, which we’re all a bit unhappy with.”

After regular complaints by Hodgson’s predecessor Fabio Capello, the FA laid a new pitch at the venue four years ago.

BBC sport