Bridge refuses to play for England - and then refuses to shake John Terry's hand

As has been well documented in the press recently, England and Manchester City left-back Wayne Bridge has caused England manager Fabio Capello more problems by refusing to play at the World Cup following the John Terry - Wayne Bridge - Vanessa Perroncel scandal, as is reported by Football365 here:

England left-back Wayne Bridge has declared himself unavailable for the World Cup.

The Manchester City defender released a short statement claiming his presence within the national squad was "untenable and potentially divisive" and that he did not wish to be selected.

It leaves Fabio Capello without both his first-choice left-backs for Wednesday's friendly with Egypt.

The move comes after lurid details about a relationship between Bridge's former partner Vanessa Perroncel and Chelsea defender John Terry came to light.

Terry was ultimately stripped of the England captaincy by Capello, who earlier this week spoke of his optimism that Bridge would continue to play for his country.

However, after a lot of soul searching, the 29-year-old feels it is an impossible situation for him to contemplate.

"It has always been an honour to play for England," said Bridge.

"However, after careful thought, I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive."

It was the delicate balancing act Capello knew he was carrying out when he retained Terry in his squad whilst removing the coveted armband.

The Italian hoped Bridge would remain involved and was scheduled to see both men in action at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, when Chelsea entertain Manchester City.

Roberto Mancini spoke about the certainty of Bridge's return to the England fold but there was always a feeling the full-back held a different opinion.

Speculation that he would not even shake Terry's hand prior to this weekend's game hardly gave credence to the belief any clear differences could be patched up.

"Sadly, for the sake of the team and what would be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection," said Bridge.

"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 and have today informed the management of this decision.

"I wish the team all the best in South Africa."

As Bridge has not formally announced his retirement from international football, it can only be concluded that he would consider a return should Terry not be involved.

Terry must now carry with him the additional burden of knowing his own actions have resulted in someone he used to class as a close friend missing the biggest tournament any professional can be involved in.

Quite apart from dealing with that fall-out, Capello must find himself alternatives at left-back given Ashley Cole is presently ruled out for three months with a broken ankle.

As was rumoured in the quote above, John Terry's hand was not shaken by Wayne Bridge today as Manchester City comfortably came from behind to beat Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge today, a result which I am sure will make Wayne Bridge smile inside.

I have spoken to many people recently about the story, and many of my friends, as well as myself, are firmly Team Bridge. How on earth the Chelsea fans could have booed Wayne Bridge today is beyond me. I am all for supporting your club and it's players, but when a player ends his England career because he never wants to play again with a man he thought was his friend because of an affair with his girlfriend, you cannot really defend it. Wayne Bridge has not even received an apology from Terry, who hasn't tried to patch things up between the two at all.

Because of this lack of emotion from Terry, and the painful circumstances Bridge finds himself in, I really do feel for him. Some people may feel he is being rude and childish by not shaking the hand of John Terry today, but I certainly don't. John Terry has continued his life as if nothing ever happened, and somewhat arrogantly didn't step down as England captain, a sign that he has not really appreciated his mistakes.

Personally, I think that Terry should sacrifice himself for Bridge, it is the least he can do surely?

As for the Chelsea fans, while as I said I understand their supporting their player, they even tried to defend his actions to me, some saying it had been blown out of proportion, one saying that Terry didn't know she was Bridge's girlfriend, one even trying to convince me it didn't happen! I think this just shows how some Chelsea fans really do not understand or pay any attention in football.

If I were Bridge, I would have insisted on taking the penalty for City at Stamford Bridge today, even if it was only to celebrate in front of Terry. I think the fact that he didn't just shows the fact that he doesn't want Terry to have any part in his life whatsoever any more, and that he wants to put the saga behind himself.

On a side note, I am going to see England v Egypt on Wednesday, a game in which Terry but not Bridge will play in, and it will be interesting to see who is next in line to be England left back in South Africa in the absence of Ashley Cole.


Gibbo

Warnock to go to QPR?

As I am sure you have heard, there are some very strong rumours floating about SE25 and Loftus Road linking Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock to the QPR manager's job.

Flavio Briatore last night stepped down as QPR chairman as Lakshmi Mittal prepares to name Neil Warnock as boss after increasing his stake.

Steel magnate Mittal, one of the world's richest men, has bought most of Briatore's 30 per cent stake to take control at Loftus Road as predicted by Mirrorsport on Tuesday.

And Mittal, who has named Ishan Saksena as the club's new chairman, now hopes to bring in Crystal Palace chief Warnock to manage the ailing Championship club.

Mick Harford, yet to win in six games in charge, will be boss for today's game at home to Doncaster which Rangers need to win after slipping near the drop zone.  

But Rangers hope to name Warnock as their next permanent manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal next week after Palace's FA Cup replay at Aston Villa on Wednesday.

And Warnock is already planning to bring three of Palace's best players with him to QPR.

Warnock, whose Palace side host Coventry today, wants to take midfielders Darren Ambrose, Neil Danns and highly-rated full-back Nathaniel Clyne to Loftus Road if he moves once compensation of around £1.5million is finalised.

The trio can all leave on loan now ahead of a permanent summer transfer as cash-strapped Palace are in administration.

Warnock is also keen on Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper on loan with a view to a full-time 500,000 pounds switch.

QPR vice-president Amit Bhatia said: "Our immediate priority must be to re-introduce stability into the club and safeguard our future in the Championship.

"The season has been disappointing so far, but there are still many games to go. We must make every effort to end it positively, not least for our fans, the people who have continued to support and believe in the club through all the highs and lows. Together we can succeed."

Briatore has retained a small shareholding in QPR and Gianni Paladini is staying on. Warnock wants to take Darren Ambrose, Neil Danns and Nathaniel Clyne to Loftus Road

 These rumours come at a very bad time for us Palace fans, having just seen our club go into administration and therefore being deducted ten points, and then follow this up with three straight defeats to distinctly average Championship clubs, with only a brief glimmer of FA Cup glory coming first from a perfect 6 minute Danny Butterfield hat-trick against Wolves in the 4th Round, and then Darren Ambrose's awesome 35 yard screamer against Aston Villa.

As a result of these three losses, which may have been because of the distraction of the cup, Palace now face themselves in a series relegation battle, one which only hit home to us fans when we first flirted with the relegation zone on Saturday. Until this point, Palace fans had believed that their club was too good to go down, and with Warnock at the helm, it was never even a possibility, especially with the possible takeover imminent.

But two weeks later, still no news at all on a takeover, Palace in the bottom three, and Neil Warnock walking out of a press conference after being asked about the QPR job has left Palace fans wondering what state their club will be in come May.

But the question that may be decisive in where they end up in just three months time, is will Neil Warnock still be manager of Crystal Palace FC?

Speculation has been rife and many Rangers fans have said he has agreed a deal to join tomorrow, something which we will have to wait to find out if true or not, but I cannot see QPR being the right move for Neil.

Whilst it makes great financial sense for a man reaching the end of his career to go to the richest club in the division, and as a result "add a kiwi to his fruit bowl". It would also present the easiest and most obvious route for him to win promotion to the Premier League one final time - something he has made no secret of his desire for. It would also, with the loan window opening, and presumably no limits on spending on wages and fees during this time, he could very easily create a squad he is happy with for the remainder of this year and next. After all, at the age he is at he needs quick success - he cannot afford to build for the future, because he won't be around to witness it then.

But while all of this makes sense, I can't help thinking it would be a backwards step for him. He joined the club stating he wanted a challenge, and there was no greater challenge than that of winning promotion with no money. And because it is clear by his successful attempts to keep Neil Danns and Nathaniel Clyne at Palace in January that he is happy with his squad now, so why bother leaving a squad he tried so hard to keep in place?

Despite all of this, I am still torn as to whether or not he will go. He is constantly telling us of how he has had no contact with QPR, and Brendan Guilfoyle, administrator of CPFC, has told us how Warnock is here to stay. Yet on Saturday he avoided the questions by walking out of the press conference, and he never denies it, instead dodges the question, something which doesn't show me that he is entirely certain he would turn down an offer from QPR should it come in.

We will have to wait and see, next week we should know where we stand, but until then I will have to continue reading Mirror Sport and reading rumours on the CPFC BBS and hope for the best.



Gibbo