England coach Fabio Capello has warned his players that the effects of heavy drinking could see their careers curtailed.
Several England players have been pictured in British press this season downing booze at parties, despite having little to celebrate in the wake of their team's second-round exit at the World Cup.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, an Italian like Capello, has also complained about the drinking culture in England and had to reprimand England internationals Joe Hart, Gareth Barry and Adam Johnson after they were pictured at a student party in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Although Capello has some sympathy that the players are under constant scrutiny from the public, that doesn't excuse their conduct in his eyes.
''I saw the pictures,'' Capello said. ''This is the life, but you have to be careful. When you go to the pub or bar or hotel you have to be careful because the (phone) is terrible ... now it is different. You can know everything about what happens in someone's private life because of the mobile. It can record all the time. It can take pictures.
''You can find everything on Facebook etc. This is the worst. For this reason people can speak about this person drinking or this person being out. In Italy and Spain, I know the life of the players. They like to drink when they eat, during dinner. Not after.''
Capello said any player must be ''careful with their private life.''
But while the drinking may be in private, the damage the players could be causing to their bodies has a public implication for their teams.
''If a player drinks a lot his career will be shorter,'' Capello said. ''This is important. Players have to understand the effect drink has on the body. I don't think it is possible to be a top athlete and drink heavily after matches.''
The England players will be banned - as usual - from consuming alcohol this week ahead of Wednesday's friendly against France.
Changing the habits of his players away from the squad, though, will be tougher for Capello.
''I have learned that some players drink here, but this is the English culture,'' the Italian said.
