LIVERPOOL physio Dave Galley has been barred from working with the England squad in next week’s double-header with Slovenia and Croatia – because Manchester United fear a rival gaining ‘inside’ information on their players’ injuries.
Galley, a highly regarded physiotherapist, has worked with England’s under-21 squad for more than a decade and was promoted to assist senior squad physio Gary Lewin in the friendly draw with Holland earlier this month.
But United chief executive David Gill has since raised concerns over the inclusion of a non-independent member of the national team's medical staff.
Referring to a policy introduced by the FA last year designed to ensure that only independent medical staff are appointed to work with the national team, Gill raised concerns about a rival club’s physiotherapist having access to valuable information about the fitness of players from other teams.
The FA, however, have denied that they were pressurised by United.
“Dave has reverted back to the Under-21s after one game.” said an FA spokesman. “There should be no questions against his professionalism, We must be clear that there is an agreed board policy that has nothing to do with Manchester United that the medical staff should be independent.
“Franco Baldini (Capello’s general manager) and Rafael Benítez discussed the matter yesterday and it was explained we wanted to see Dave working with the team in the friendly this month.
“We refute any suggestion that we have been pressurised by Manchester United.” The FA has previously taken steps to ensure that such situations cannot arise, with the appointment of Gary Lewin as England’s full-time physiotherapist in August last year, followed by Ian Beasley becoming full-time doctor four months later.
Both had previously worked for the FA on a part-time basis with their regular employment being provided by Arsenal.
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Galley, a highly regarded physiotherapist, has worked with England’s under-21 squad for more than a decade and was promoted to assist senior squad physio Gary Lewin in the friendly draw with Holland earlier this month.
But United chief executive David Gill has since raised concerns over the inclusion of a non-independent member of the national team's medical staff.
Referring to a policy introduced by the FA last year designed to ensure that only independent medical staff are appointed to work with the national team, Gill raised concerns about a rival club’s physiotherapist having access to valuable information about the fitness of players from other teams.
The FA, however, have denied that they were pressurised by United.
“Dave has reverted back to the Under-21s after one game.” said an FA spokesman. “There should be no questions against his professionalism, We must be clear that there is an agreed board policy that has nothing to do with Manchester United that the medical staff should be independent.
“Franco Baldini (Capello’s general manager) and Rafael Benítez discussed the matter yesterday and it was explained we wanted to see Dave working with the team in the friendly this month.
“We refute any suggestion that we have been pressurised by Manchester United.” The FA has previously taken steps to ensure that such situations cannot arise, with the appointment of Gary Lewin as England’s full-time physiotherapist in August last year, followed by Ian Beasley becoming full-time doctor four months later.
Both had previously worked for the FA on a part-time basis with their regular employment being provided by Arsenal.
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