A reception for England's World Cup squad could be held at Downing Street "in the near future", officials said yesterday, as the Football Association defended its decision not to hold a formal welcome home for fans.

Coach Sven Goran Eriksson and his players flew in to London's Heathrow Airport from Japan late on Saturday to be greeted by thousands of supporters.

But they only managed a brief glimpse of the players, who almost immediately boarded coaches inside the airport, sparking claims that they had been smuggled away.

Supporters' groups described the situation as a "great pity" for the waiting crowds, although they conceded that the FA may have been taken by surprise by the number of fans turning out at the airport.

The FA was forced to justify its position, which contrasts with the Republic of Ireland's return home last week, and insisted it had not ruled out a proper reception in the future once the players had spent time with their families.

A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister Tony Blair was hoping to hold a Government reception for the England players at Number 10, but no firm details had yet been arranged.

He said: "We want to mark their excellent performance in some way and we would like to do that with a Government reception, probably at Number 10, some time in the near future.

"We will be in discussions with the Football Association about a suitable time to do that.

"At the moment, the players probably want to spend time with their families, so we want to find a time that is convenient for the FA and for the players."

Mr Blair was hoping to be present for whatever event is arranged, the spokesman added.

The FA's executive director David Davies earlier denied that the England party had snubbed the fans, and pointed to the stringent security which has surrounded the players throughout their campaign.

To suggest the FA did not want an official welcome was "bonkers" and "complete nonsense", he said. "You can't ignore security advice.

"It's not a cock-up. Let me say this very clearly - we will look very seriously at a proper reception for the team if that is the right thing."

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington also acknowledged the "incredible" support of England fans in the Far East and back home during the tournament.

"The reception we received from the several thousand people who turned up at the airport was wonderful," he said.

Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Association, said he was disappointed that the fans who flocked to the airport were not given more of a chance to show their appreciation.

"I'm sure it should have been possible, even for just a few minutes, to create some kind of mechanism where they could have done so.

"If they're going to Downing Street, I'm sure they could do something in Trafalgar Square or Hyde Park, like the Irish did."

Ian Todd, chairman of the National Federation of Football Supporters Clubs, said: "I think that with the tremendous support there's been at home, with flags of St George flying on windows and cars, people would like an opportunity to say 'well done' and 'sorry you didn't do better'.

"If they'd won, there wouldn't have been any doubt about it whatsoever."

* England World Cup hero Nobby Stiles - the 60-year-old former Manchester United midfielder - said yesterday he was "feeling great", despite suffering a "major heart attack" on June 5. "I'm absolutely super now. I feel great and am okay, touch wood. I weigh the same today as I did when I played.