Fabio Capello has sanctioned the presence of players' familes at England's base in Krakow for the 2012 European Championship.

England have booked the five-star Stary Hotel until the end of the tournament, and wives and girlfriends will be allowed to stay nearby and spend time with the players.

Sven Goran-Eriksson was criticised during the 2006 World Cup when the presence of WAGS in Baden Baden was blamed for causing distraction and a media circus.

The move is in contrast to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when the team were isolated in Rustenburg.

"We will prepare a special programme for the wives and partners of the footballers, so they can enjoy it," said Mayor of Krakow, Jacek Majchrowski.

"There are a lot of restaurants and nightclubs. There are all sorts of shops. If they would like to buy a beautiful fur, there are plenty of shops they can visit.

"We have quite a few interesting museums. We also have some beautiful examples of natural spaces. There is a beautiful and ancient forest. There is also a castle."

The FA appears to support Capello's decision, and has calmed fears that the presence of families could cause the same kind of distraction as in 2006.

"From what Fabio has said to us so far I don't believe there will be any formal trips organised or hotels set aside for the families, wives and girlfriends," said managing director of Club England, Adrian Bevington.

"It's a big city. There's numerous hotels. Fabio has said when there is free time that he won't have a problem with the players meeting up with their families.

"We can all refer back to 2006. I would like to think we're not walking into another situation of that nature. We're in a bigger city. Krakow is very different to Baden Baden. There are 1,000 cafes and bars."

England's next matches come in the form of friendlies with Spain and Sweden in the coming weeks.