England consider gagging orders on squad

Duncan Fletcher: his book would not have been covered by any gagging order

England's players could face contractual gagging orders in the aftermath of Duncan Flecther's warts-and-all autobiography.

A number of other sports impose such conditions in contracts of international players and coaches, although, as shown by Mike Catt's recent comments about the England rugby management, those are only effective while the player is still contracted.

Speaking to Wales on Sunday, Hugh Morris, the ECB's managing director, said that it was an issue he would be reviewing. "Part of my new remit is to look at all issues, weigh up both sides of the argument and come up with an agreement that is suitable to both the organisation and the player. Gagging orders raise all kinds of issues with freedom of speech.

"Censorship is not on our agenda, but we don't want players or members of the coaching staff, for that matter, fearing that anything they say or do in the sacred confines of the dressing room is revealed in a book months later."

While any gagging clauses would prevent current players and coaches from speaking out, they would make no difference to someone like Fletcher who was no longer bound by any contract when he released his book.

Asked if he had read Fletcher's observations, Morris said: "I've not read the book so I can't comment on its contents."