England officials have rubbished rumours that David Beckham and Steve Gerrard were involved in a training ground bust-up ahead of the 2-2 draw with Sweden.

A report in The Sun claimed that an irate Gerrard had criticised what he viewed as the captain's over use of long balls during England's first two matches of the tournament.

Beckham was said to have reacted angrily to the Liverpool midfielder's remarks, prompting a "frank exchange over tactics in front of the other squad members".

However, a Football Association spokesman insisted: "It is absolute rubbish. The players involved don't understand where it has come from."