Graham Kelly has warned the seven-man panel who will choose the new England coach not to make their choice without consulting leading figures within the game.

As the former chief executive of the Football Association, Kelly was involved in the decision-making process which saw both Graham Taylor and Terry Venables elevated to the most senior managerial position within the English game.

And he believes the lessons from his own mistakes should be taken on board by his successor Adam Crozier.

''I'm fairly sure they will talk about the situation amongst themselves, then canvass opinion within the game,'' said Kelly, who was ousted from his job following the cash-for-votes scandal during the 2006 World Cup bid campaign.

''They would be mad if they didn't do it because I made that mistake once when we appointed Graham Taylor.

''You are always open to the accusation that people making the final decision are too far removed from the game. It's the 'old farts' syndrome.

''That is why we employed Jimmy Armfield to help with the choice when Terry Venables became manager.''

Crozier has appointed a committee which includes FA technical director Howard Wilkinson, Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale, Premier League chairman Dave Richards, FA executive director David Davies and Liverpool chairman Noel White.

However, even though the panel's recommendations are likely to be taken on board, it is Crozier who will have the final say.

His authority to make the decision has been questioned because of his non-footballing background, which includes work with Saatchi & Saatchi and the BBC.

Crozier stated before Wednesday's 0-0 World Cup draw with Finland in Helsinki that a final decision would be made before Christmas, although this would be after the friendly with Italy next month.

Kelly though feels this is unlikely and that Crozier will have a man on board ahead of the Italian clash to allow him extra time to look at his squad before the World Cup action resumes in March.

''What the FA normally responds to is public anxiety,'' said Kelly. ''In this instance, they will want to portray themselves as being more decisive than they have been in the past and Christmas is a long time to wait for a new manager.

''We have friendlies against Italy and Spain to come, which would be useful for Kevin Keegan's replacement to look at some of his players.

''If the FA don't make use of that time, the new manager will be pitched into the same difficult situation which Kevin found himself when he was appointed.''

l Lazio coach Sven Goran Eriksson has ruled himself out of the running to take over as the new England boss.

The 52-year-old Swede, who led the Rome club to the Serie A title last season, said: ''I am very much at home with Lazio and I have no desire to break my contract which runs to June 2000.

''I haven't heard anything, so I can deny all rumours.''

Eriksson has also been linked with the job of coaching the Swedish national team should Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback quit after their poor start to the World Cup qualifying campaign.

But he added: ''I'm busy with the Italian League and Champions League and absolutely not interested in coaching a national team.''

William Hill have suspended betting on the next England coach after a gamble on Eriksson forced his odds down from 33-1 to 3-1.

''It looks like a classic case of a bandwagon effect snowballing out of control,'' said spokesman Graham Sharpe.

''But in a volatile market of this nature, where the FA could make an announcement either about an appointment or a short-list at any time, we can't afford to take chances.''

l Finland coach Antti Muurinen has brushed aside claims that England were robbed on Wednesday, and insisted Teddy Sheringham should have been sent off.

England were left seething after a shot by Ray Parlour appeared to cross the line, and after referee Alain Sars did not send Finnish keeper Antti Niemi off for tripping Sheringham.

But after scrutinising videos, Muurinen said: ''The ball bouncing from the bar did not enter the goal. It is quite clear.''

He added: ''Sheringham's falling was more his own stumbling. Niemi's hand only touched the man's foot. Furthermore, the ball was not going towards the goal.''

He added that Sheringham himself should have been dismissed for hitting Finland's Jarkko Wiss in the face.

French referee Alain Sars claims he has been made the scapegoat for England's flop. ''I don't feel responsible for England's defeat at all and anyway they had only one real opportunity to score,'' he said