Anderton released a statement through the Football Association rejecting the allegations made in The Sun newspaper.

The statement added that England coach Glenn Hoddle had accepted the 26-year-old Tottenham Hotspur player's version of events.

Hoddle gave his players three days off to relax before the start of the World Cup next week.

Anderton: Denied reports

But British tabloid newspapers have been dominated by reports that some members of the team have broken the alcohol ban aimed at keeping them in peak condition for the opening match against Tunisia in Marseille on June 15.

According to the report in The Sun, Anderton had become caught up in a scuffle after a night out in Bournemouth.

But the FA's director of public affairs David Davies said: "Following a story that we understand is appearing in one of tomorrow's newspapers, Darren Anderton wants to make the following matters clear.

"He was not, repeat not, involved in a fight in Bournemouth in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He was not, repeat not, drunk or 'boozed up'."

Mr Davies said Anderton had been out to dinner with family and friends where he drank a glass of wine, followed later by a "couple of beers".

The statement stressed: "Glenn Hoddle, the England coach, has accepted Darren Anderton's version of events."