You're not in Sweden anymore

Millions Americans were flabbergasted at Bill Clinton's impeachment. Even many Republicans thought, "Should a president lose his job because of a sex scandal? Only in America!"

Except America isn't the only country in the world where a sex scandal jeopardizes the job of a prominent public figure. Though England doesn't have a president, they do have a national football (soccer) team coach who typically inspires as much love and vitriol as the US president does for Americans.

English national team boss Sven Goran Eriksson is under fire over an affair he had with a secretary for the FA, England's soccer federation.

Though some have resigned first, no Engand manager has been dismissed for poor results since 1974, when the FA sacked Alf Ramsey, who'd previously led England to their only international trophy (the 1966 World Cup) and gotten a 'sir' before his name as a bonus.

In Italy, they'll fire a national team coach if he comes within seconds of winning the European championship but falls victim to a opposition miracle. In England, they only fire national team coaches for insulting disabled people or for personal legal problems or, possibly, for sex scandals.

Eriksson's own appointment was controversial, as he was the first foreigner even to coach England's national team. His arrival was bitterly contested by many segments of the notorious xenophobic England tabloid press (compared to which Fox News [sic] seems like CSPAN).

English fandom is infamous for savaging their best players. Though David Beckham is the second most overrated player on the planet, he is still one of England's better players. Yet he is a hate figure in many quarters, even when wearing the national shirt. Star striker Michael Owen went from Messiah (after dismantling Germany in Munich a few years ago) to Public Enemy Number Two (next to Beckham) during his present struggles. Current wunderkind Wayne Rooney will surely befall the same fate when his incredible international form inevitably slows down. Many fans bitterly criticized Eriksson for sticking with aging goalkeeper David Seaman even though they agreed his understudies weren't yet ready for prime time.

Eriksson, for his part, doesn't understand why the affair is such a huge story that might cost him his job. This would never have been a story in his native Sweden.

Hey Sven, you're not in Sweden anymore.

If you didn't understand the irrational nature of the British footballing press before you accepted the job, you were very poorly served by your advisors.