Just as it looked like England were recovering from their disaster at last summer's World Cup another sordid kiss-and-tell story looks set to disrupt their preparations and potentially force their star player out of the game.
Whatever Wayne Rooney did or didn't do, it is clear the press have been digging for stories ever since the side's failure in South Africa and are determined to throw as much mud as the players as possible.
The timing once again is awful, with Rooney's mental state being assessed before the Switzerland game on Tuesday. The football odds suggest he is likely to score if he plays, but this will just add further weight on his shoulders.
On one side Rooney and the three other players who allegedly took out super injunctions to stop stories reaching print should watch their behaviour and be aware of their status as role models.
But I can't help but get annoyed at the media who on one hand claim to support the England side and crave success as much as the supporters, yet seek to disrupt the team as much as possible by exposing the players private lives days before a game.
Modern day footballers lack a moral compass, it is hardly shocking news, and something the FA and PFA need to look at when it comes to educating young players about how to deal with the money and fame that comes with life at the top.
I'm sure most fans also take a poor view of the players' off-field antics, but they also want the team to win. I'm sure there is a way of bringing playing away footballers to account without ruining our chances of success. The side are most people's Euro 2012 betting tips to make the finals of the tournament, but these developments won't help.
Or maybe it is as many people suspect - the press prefer England to fail as it gives them more to write about.
We can only hope this scandal doesn't ruin the Three Lions chances in Switzerland on Tuesday. The 4-0 over Bulgaria was the perfect way to begin their quest to reach Euro 2012 and a win over Ottmar Hitzfeld's side would put them in pole position.
But the way the tabloids are working, you wonder which player they are going to get next.
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