EXCLUSIVE: Scots pull out of Auld Enemy clash at Wembley as Burley fears a hammering

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The Scottish decision came as a surprise to the FA and it is believed that the match was cancelled at the behest of new Scotland manager George Burley.

The first match between the Auld Enemy since 1999 was eagerly awaited by the Football Association who had expected a 90,000 sell-out at Wembley for the May 28 clash.

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England celebrate Paul Gascoigne's goal against Scotland at Wembley during Euro 96

Don Hutchinson scores at Wembley in 1999 during the last match between the two countries as Scotland won 1-0 in the second leg of the Euro 2000 play-offs. England had won the first leg 2-0

And the FA had banked on a bumper pay day to partially make up for England's failure to make the Euro 2008 Finals.

But the Scots would have been without players of Rangers and Celtic, both away on end-of-season tours, and Burley feared a team shorn of the Old Firm stars would be handed an unwelcome beating by Fabio Capello's England.

The FA are now searching for another opponent.

Today Capello names his first England squad for the friendly against Switzerland on February 6.

Attention has centred on whether the Italian will include former England captain David Beckham. Beckham would win his 100th cap against the Swiss and his inclusion would be a popular choice in the country.

However Capello is understandably worried about the fitness of a 32-year-old who has not played a competitive match since the MLS season ended in November.