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England blow as Bridge quits
Source: Agencies |
February 26, 2010, Friday
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WAYNE Bridge is refusing to play for England in the wake of John Terry's alleged affair with his former partner, saying yesterday that his presence in the World Cup squad could be "divisive."
Coach Fabio Capello expected Bridge to continue playing for England after stripping Terry of the captaincy when details of the Chelsea defender's affair with Vanessa Perroncel emerged.
But Bridge's announcement - two days after Capello suggested the two could play together - leaves the Italian with problems over selection and team harmony three months before they travel to South Africa.
"I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks," Bridge said in a statement released by his lawyers. "It has always been an honor to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive."
After weeks of lurid headlines about his players - including first-choice left back Ashley Cole - Capello spoke on Tuesday of the need to restore unity in the dressing room. But Bridge is apparently unable to forge a professional relationship with Terry.
Reports have suggested that they will not shake hands on Saturday when Manchester City plays at Chelsea, the club Bridge left in 2009.
Terry's continued presence in England setup could also cause friction, with fellow squad members aware that the defender's alleged affair with the mother of Bridge's child forced his one-time friend to miss out on a major tournament.
Sadness
Expressing sadness at his decision, Bridge's statement continued: "I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection.
"I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa."
An immediate issue for Capello is filling the left back slot for the friendly against Egypt, with first-choice Cole recovering from a broken ankle and uncertain whether he will be fit for England's World Cup opener against the United States on June 12.
"It leaves Capello with no tried and tested left backs, and that causes a slight problem," said former England defender Danny Mills, who played at the 2002 World Cup.
"Ashley Cole, if all being well and his recovery time is as quick as we think it might be, might make it back for the end of the season.
"But it won't take an awful lot of that to be delayed slightly and for him to miss out too, so that makes this friendly and the next few England games very, very important."
Coach Fabio Capello expected Bridge to continue playing for England after stripping Terry of the captaincy when details of the Chelsea defender's affair with Vanessa Perroncel emerged.
But Bridge's announcement - two days after Capello suggested the two could play together - leaves the Italian with problems over selection and team harmony three months before they travel to South Africa.
"I have thought long and hard about my position in the England football team in the light of the reporting and events over the last few weeks," Bridge said in a statement released by his lawyers. "It has always been an honor to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive."
After weeks of lurid headlines about his players - including first-choice left back Ashley Cole - Capello spoke on Tuesday of the need to restore unity in the dressing room. But Bridge is apparently unable to forge a professional relationship with Terry.
Reports have suggested that they will not shake hands on Saturday when Manchester City plays at Chelsea, the club Bridge left in 2009.
Terry's continued presence in England setup could also cause friction, with fellow squad members aware that the defender's alleged affair with the mother of Bridge's child forced his one-time friend to miss out on a major tournament.
Sadness
Expressing sadness at his decision, Bridge's statement continued: "I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection.
"I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa."
An immediate issue for Capello is filling the left back slot for the friendly against Egypt, with first-choice Cole recovering from a broken ankle and uncertain whether he will be fit for England's World Cup opener against the United States on June 12.
"It leaves Capello with no tried and tested left backs, and that causes a slight problem," said former England defender Danny Mills, who played at the 2002 World Cup.
"Ashley Cole, if all being well and his recovery time is as quick as we think it might be, might make it back for the end of the season.
"But it won't take an awful lot of that to be delayed slightly and for him to miss out too, so that makes this friendly and the next few England games very, very important."
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