FA bosses banned Swedish pop legends Abba from penning England's World Cup 2002 anthem

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Swedish manager of the Three Lions, wanted his legendary compatriots to pen a rousing anthem for the tournament in Japan and South Korea

FA bosses banned Swedish pop legends Abba from penning England’s World Cup 2002 anthem - because they were not English.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Swedish manager of the Three Lions, came up with the idea after they secured a place in the finals. He wanted his legendary compatriots to pen a rousing anthem for the tournament in Japan and South Korea.

The Mail on Sunday said Sven told his England assistant Tord Grip to ask friend Benny Anderson if he would write a song. Abba star Benny agreed to the request - only for killjoy FA chiefs to put a stop to the idea. Sven, who died of pancreatic cancer in August, aged 76, makes the revelation in his new autobiography ‘My Story’.

He wrote: “I said to Tord, ‘What if Abba wrote our song? You know him well. Call Benny!’ And Benny bought in right away, ‘I’d be happy to, and I don’t need to be paid a huge sum. This is a great honour!’”

But when a delighted Eriksson revealed his plan to the FA chairman at the time, Geoff Thompson, his dreams were dashed. “The answer was that Björn and Benny were not Englishmen,” wrote Erikkson. “‘Well, I’m not English either, but I work here,’ I sighed, exasperated.

“I still don’t understand how they could say no to Abba. The English have their principles, and this was clearly one of them.” England’s 2002 World Cup song was instead penned and performed by TV duo Ant and Dec.

‘We’re One The Ball’ got to number three in the charts, beaten only by Will Young and Eminem. Sven’s Three Lions went out in the quarter finals, losing 2-1 to eventual winners Brazil. Brazil’s star striker Ronaldinho scored the winner in Shizuoka with a second-half free-kick.