Oasis have apparently blamed the delay in releasing their new album on England's failure to qualify for this summer's Euro 2008 football tournament.

The band are said to have taken time to off to support the team at last month's championships – only England never made it to the finals.

"We decided to keep June, July and August free to support England in the European Championship,” guitarist Noel Gallagher is quoted as saying, “and of course look what fucking happened."

Oasis will release their new album 'Dig Out Your Soul' on October 6th. The record will be preceded by the single 'The Shock Of Lightning', which is out on September 28th.

Currently, the band have yet to announce any plans to tour the record in the UK.

(by Jason Gregory)