England WAGs may not 'warm-up' Miami beaches in build-up to WC 2014

England manager Roy Hodgson and the Football Association (FA) are reportedly refusing to pay for the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of the England footballers to attend the team's warm-up matches for the 2014 World Cup in the US.

Originally, Hodgson and FA agreed to stump up for the flights and hotel rooms for the WAGs in Miami although in a complete dramatic turnaround, they have told England players that they will not officially authorise their partners being there.

That means the FA will not pay for flights or hotel rooms, with Hodgson also no longer scheduling extended time off in the build-up to the World Cup.

According to the Mirror, Hodgson's new stance will also apply to the tournament itself as he tries to ensure nothing diminishes the players' focus once they get to Brazil although he said that the squad is welcome to bring their WAGs to the final US leg of their tournament warm-up in Miami.

England captain Steven Gerrard is believed to have been one of the main opponents of WAGs being there while Wayne Rooney's wife Coleen and Frank Lampard's partner Christine Bleakley are among those still considering whether to go.

Hodgson had already declared that families were not welcome at the five-day training camp in Portugal in May, although he will give his squad four days at home before they then re-gather on May 27 for the farewell friendly with Peru, the report added.