16/10/2012
Steven Gerrard insists there is now "no excuse" for bad behaviour from players following the introduction of a new code of conduct.
After recent off-field controversies, the England captain wants the focus firmly on football for the crucial World Cup qualifier in Poland.
Former captain John Terry and his Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole have both been sanctioned by the Football Association following recent incidents.
Gerrard said: "We have to behave."
Terry ended his England career after he was charged by the Football Association with racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand - despite being cleared in court - and is currently deciding whether to appeal against a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine.
And Cole had admitted a misconduct charge following an abusive tweet aimed at the FA after his evidence to an independent commission, which found Terry guilty, was questioned.Gerrard hopes the distractions are over and said: "It is critical. These games are very important. We'd rather be sitting here answering questions about football.
"The players are well aware of that now. We had a meeting at St George's Park last week and have the code of conduct in writing. We know we have to behave and there is no excuse any more. It's about focusing on getting things right on the pitch."
Gerrard, speaking ahead of Tuesday's qualifier in Warsaw, added: "We received the code of conduct in booklet form and had a meeting about it. We've not spoken about it. It is common sense. It is important we do behave away from the pitch."
Gerrard, meanwhile, had a robust response to criticism from former France World Cup-winner Patrick Vieira's claims that England's young players do not love playing for the national team.
He said: "It surprised me to read that. The impression I get from young players at Liverpool is that they are desperate to get into this set-up. This is what I notice and you can see it in their faces that it disappoints them when they are left out.
"It didn't disappointment me because I don't really care what Patrick Vieira says. The young players are hungry."