Sweden coaches Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback have slapped a strict sex ban on their players as they embark on their Euro 2000 campaign.

Arsenal midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg was quick to leap to the defence of the management duo.

Ljungberg admitted: "After having sex the night before (a match), I lose all feelings in my feet.

"I'm totally empty. I can't control the ball any more. Instead I watch erotic movies the night before. That doesn't affect my power."