A DISPUTE between the players and the Football Association over sponsorship cash is threatening to disrupt England's World Cup preparation. Skipper Alan Shearer, David Seaman and Tony Adams represented the squad at a Monday meeting where the FA hoped to thrash out a new four-year ‘Team England' marketing deal. Agreement was reached on the bulk of the plan, which will see ten big-name brands come on board in a package that would be worth £4m per year to the players. However, the squad are holding out for the right to negotiate individual deals - a scenario that could result in players endorsing products that are in direct competition to those sold by the ten major sponsors. The FA, obviously, want to protect England's famous Three Lions crest and think it would be illegal for players to use their international status to represent companies in competition with Team England backers. In the case of Coca-Cola, for example, Shearer would be free to advertise Pepsi as simply Alan Shearer, or Alan Shearer of Newcastle United, but not as Alan Shearer of England. Both sides have taken legal advice, with High Court action being threatened as a last resort. ''That would be the worst-case scenario,'' admitted FA commercial director Phil Carling. ''We're hoping common sense will prevail because I don't think it benefits either the Football Association or the players to have the Sword of Damocles hanging over us. When we spoke to the players we asked if they understood our position and they said they did. We feel there is a question of morality here, and it would have an impact on the financial side of the package if the players are free to negotiate their own deals. Our counsel says they cannot sign individual contracts without our consent and theirs' says they can, he added. At this stage, we've agreed to differ and our view is that it won't be a problem unless it becomes one. But if we are aware of any agreement we did not sanction, we'd alert the player, his agent, and the commercial organisation that they were in jeopardy of legal action.'' Any court case would be against the company concerned for 'incitement of a breach of contract' rather than against the player involved. Carling said there would be further talks soon, contradicting coach Glenn Hoddle's claim that the issue is being put on the back-burner until after France 98. ''A few details have to be ironed out, he said. I'm not involved in that, not party to it. There will be no more meetings before the World Cup. Anything else will take place afterwards.'' England players are set to scoop a £1m bonus if they come back from France with the World Cup, but Hoddle insists that the squad aren't becoming distracted by dancing pound signs. ''At no time during the eight games and 18 months did any player ask what was in it for them, he said. That's a very positive sign because I don't think there are many countries where you wouldn't get at least one player asking about the money.''

NEW £50M KIT DEAL GIVES FANS A VOICE   SUPPORTERS are to be given a say in the design of the new England strip as part of a record-breaking £50m deal with Umbro. Following fan criticism of some recent designs - particularly the ‘grey' away kit worn during Euro 96 - around 30,000 members of the England Travel Club will be consulted during the design of the new strip. To avoid accusations of commercial exploitation, the new deal promises that the kit will be changed on a strict two-year cycle. As part of the package, the Football Association will make a £20m investment in youth football aimed at finding the stars of the future. The FA opted to award the contract to the Manchester-based firm despite big money bids from American kit manufacturer Nike and German company Puma. FA Commercial Director Phil Carling said: "Umbro's commitment to support only football means they are uniquely placed to help develop the game, whether it's played at local parks or Wembley Stadium. The deal allows us to make our own ground-breaking investment in the game's future - developing young players." ENGLAND star Steve McManaman's has won the latest round of his contract row with Umbro Europe. A High Court judge ordered the company, England's official kit sponsors, to put up £175,000 within 14 days to cover at least part of the financial losses that the Liverpool midfielder claims he is suffering because he is legally bound to wear their clothing. If they don't pay up, McManaman - who says he is already £400,000 out of pocket - will have the right to seek a better deal elsewhere. The 26-year-old wants to be freed from a £6000-a-year deal, which runs until July 2000, that he signed as an inexperienced 18-year-old so he can field more lucrative offers from Nike, Reebok and Adidas. His lawyers asked Mr Justice Neuberger to order Umbro to put up £800,000 to cover their client's loss of earnings if he is able to prove the contract is a restraint of trade and no longer enforceable. Umbro's lawyers claimed McManaman was not suffering any loss because other manufacturers would not sign him while the legal dispute was ongoing. The judge stated that there was a real prospect that the player would suffer substantial loss if he was required to continue promoting Umbro kit pending the full hearing but was far from satisfied that the potential loss was as great as was being claimed.

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