The Football Association was rocked last night by the resignation of its chief executive and an offer to quit from its director of communications.

After days of intense pressure over the sex scandal engulfing the FA, Mark Palios announced he was to resign as chief executive.

Within minutes, FA director of communications Colin Gibson said he was prepared to quit too.

Mr Gibson said: "I have offered my resignation to the board and I have asked them to consider it as soon as possible."

Mr Palios had come under intense pressure in recent days over the fiasco around England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's affair with an FA secretary.

At first the FA denied the reports of the fling between Eriksson and 38-year-old former model Faria Alam.

Only days later it was forced into a hugely embarrassing admission that not only were the rumours true, but Mr Palios also had a relationship with the same woman.

Last night, Mr Palios said he had informed FA chairman Geoff Thompson of his decision to go at 6pm. It was accepted with immediate effect.

"I am very sad that I feel this is necessary," Mr Palios said.

"It has has been a privilege to be chief executive of the Football Association, but with privilege comes the burden of responsibility."

He went on: "It is important for me to take ultimate responsibility for everything the FA has done, in good times and bad.

"Personally, I do not accept I have been guilty of any wrongdoing.

"But it has become clear to me that my action tonight is essential to enable the FA to begin to return to normality.

"When I joined the FA it faced many serious challenges and a lot of very good things have been achieved in the past 13 months. I have had the privilege of working with an outstanding leadership team. For the time being, I intend to keep any further thoughts to myself."

Executive director David Davies has been put in temporary charge of the organisation with immediate effect, with the FA due to make a formal statement on the matter today.

While Mr Palios insists he has done nothing wrong, both his position and that of Mr Gibson came under increasing pressure with new claims published yesterday.

The News of the World printed what it alleged were transcripts of telephone conversations between the newspaper and Mr Gibson.

It said Mr Gibson tried to strike a deal, offering "chapter and verse" on Eriksson's affair with Ms Alam in exchange for keeping Mr Palios out of the story.

Mr Gibson appeared to confirm his conversations with the newspaper with a statement he issued yesterday.

He said: "Last week I complied with the FA inquiry, gave them complete details of the events of July 24, including transcripts of telephone calls, my minute-to-minute movements and supplied them with a complete list of all my telephone calls.

"The FA knew about the details last week and the story about brokering a deal."

Mr Palios's decision to quit comes despite Mr Thompson's very public support for the chief executive last week.

Announcing that an inquiry was under way into the public relations disaster, Mr Thompson said he was satisfied Mr Palios had not misled officials over the matter.

But he voiced no such support for 56-year-old Eriksson.

A special meeting of the 12-man FA board is scheduled for Thursday, when the findings of the inquiry will be presented.

Speaking earlier, Eriksson's agent, Athole Still, said yesterday's newspaper revelations came as a shock to the Swede. "I spoke to Sven when I heard this was going to be printed and he didn't want to comment in any way," he told the Radio Five.

"I am extremely surprised and shocked by what I am reading."

Mr Palios's luxury home in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, was in darkness last night as a small group of reporters gathered outside.