The United States rejected England manager Phil Neville's claims that they had breached etiquette in the World Cup Spygate controversy, insisting that they were perfectly entitled to look around the opposition's hotel while the team were occupying it.

Neville was clearly indignant about the way the US sent two members of staff to scout the five-star Fourviere Hotel in Lyon as a possible place to stay before the World Cup final.

He suggested USA coach Jill Ellis should launch an investigation. The Americans visited incognito while England were out at training.

Alyssa Naeher denied claims the USA had breached etiquette by scouting out England's hotel

The England Women's team are currently staying at the Fourviere Hotel in the centre of Lyon

Formerly an old convent, the hotel was scouted as a possibility for the US if they make the final

But US keeper Alyssa Naeher rejected the manager's claims on Monday. She said: 'I just heard about that five minutes ago before coming in here. That has nothing to do with the game.

'Our managers and operations have scouted out every hotel we've ever stayed in or every potential hotel we stay in, to make sure we've got plan A, plan B, plan C. And that's nothing to do with the game. It's just our operations checking all the boxes and preparing for whatever path we take.'

The American press entourage are surprised by England's confidence heading into the semi-final.

England boss Phil Neville suggested USA coach Jill Ellis should launch her own investigation

It was put to Naeher that the US are used to teams saying 'if everything goes perfect we can win. But England are saying "we're going to win".

Naeher replied: 'I would expect that. They're going into a World Cup semi-final and they have a manager who has instilled that belief in the team.

'You can see that energy and passion when you watch them play. It doesn't surprise me to have that confidence coming into it. They've had a good tournament.'