Greg Dyke denies claims of FA 'concerns' over Roy Hodgson's team selection

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke on May 8, 2014
© Getty Images
Greg Dyke plays down talk that the FA was left bemused by Roy Hodgson's decision to rest key names against Slovakia, claiming that the manager always has the final say.

Chairman Greg Dyke has denied suggestions that the Football Association has been left unhappy by Roy Hodgson's England team selection decisions at Euro 2016.

It had been claimed earlier this week that the Three Lions boss had left FA chiefs bemused by his decision to rest a raft of key players despite qualification to the round of 16 yet to have been secured.

England were made to pay for their rotation policy as a goalless draw with Slovakia, combined with a 3-0 win over Russia for eventual group winners Wales, led to Hodgson's men finishing second.

A tougher run to the final now awaits England, who could face the likes of France, Germany, Italy and Spain along the way should they first overcome Iceland on Monday, but Dyke puts the failure to seal top spot down to opposition teams putting out overly-defensive sides.

"I don't believe in letting men in suits decide who should be in the team," the Daily Mail quotes him as saying. "It's what we have managers for and they decide. We are all fully supportive of Roy and anything else that's said is untrue.

"Our problem so far has been teams parking the bus. When teams have five or six players strung across the defence, it's not easy to score.

"I'm fairly confident we will beat Iceland and play either France or the Republic of Ireland, probably France, and it will be one of those great occasions. Hopefully we can get an early goal against Iceland and they will have to come out and play."

Dyke also admitted earlier this week that Hodgson's hopes of landing a contract extension as England manager will depend on the national side's performance over the next fortnight in France.

Wayne Rooney and Oleg Shatov compete for the ball during the Euro 2016 Group B game between England and Russia on June 11, 2016
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