England skipper Steven Gerrard has admitted there is no excuse for bad behaviour following the introduction of the new Football Association code of conduct.
Gerrard and his team-mates were handed the document during a team meeting at St George's Park last Monday. FA chairman David Bernstein was anxious to point out last week it had not been pushed through as a result of Ashley Cole's latest transgression and the process had been under way since the start of the year. Since then, Ryan Bertrand has been drawn into a Twitter row that forced him into an apology.
However, in theory, Gerrard feels the England players now know where they stand. "We had a meeting at St George's Park last week and now have the code of conduct in writing," said Gerrard.
He added: "We know we have to behave and there's no excuse any more. We've not spoken about it (as a group). It's common sense.
"It's important we do behave away from the pitch."
After a year when a consistent thread running through England gatherings has been player discipline of varying kinds, Gerrard feels it is time to get the focus back on the football.
"It is critical," said Gerrard.
"These games and these get-togethers are very important and we'd rather be sitting here answering questions about football."
