Wayne Bridge Quits England WC Squad

[Swanny]

Wayne Bridge withdraws from England selection


Bridge's decision means he will not play at this summer's World Cup

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge has announced he does not wish to be chosen for England duty, thereby ruling himself out of this summer's World Cup.
In a statement released by his lawyers, Bridge, 29, said his position in the national squad had become "untenable and potentially divisive".
He has been in the spotlight over allegations that his ex-girlfriend had an affair with Chelsea's John Terry.
Terry was sacked as England captain by coach Fabio Capello earlier this month.
Bridge's statement read: "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.
"It has always been an honour to play for England. However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.




"Sadly therefore 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."
With the World Cup less than four months away, Bridge's decision leaves Capello with a selection headache over England's left-back spot.
Chelsea's Ashley Cole is already sidelined with an ankle injury and is a doubt for the competition in South Africa.
England's opening match is against the United States on 12 June.
Aston Villa defenders Stephen Warnock and Nicky Shorey, Everton's Leighton Baines and Manchester City's Joleon Lescott are all possible replacements in the English defence.
Despite reports earlier this week that Bridge was considering his international future because he was unwilling to play alongside Terry, Capello stated on Wednesday: "No, he will be with us. No problems about the other things."
Bridge, who has played for England 36 times and recently returned from a two-month lay-off with a knee injury, was a club mate of Terry's at Chelsea before joining Manchester City last year.
The pair are due to meet on the pitch for the first time since details of the alleged affair were made public when City visit Chelsea on Saturday.
In the wake of Terry's sacking and recent headlines concerning Ashley Cole's separation from wife Cheryl, the Italian boss revealed he would stress the importance of team spirit and personal discipline when he talks to his players ahead of the friendly with Egypt on 3 March.
"The World Cup is really important for me, for England and for the players," he explained. "We have to stay together and compact in every moment. I think this will be my most important job - to recreate this spirit.
"We will talk about a lot of things because four months is a long time. If you can meet the players every month it is different. We will have two days to stay together but they are very strong days."


BBC Sport - Football - Wayne Bridge withdraws from England selection

[HeroesComesandGoes]

Oh dear...guess it'll be Stephen Warnock then for LB?

[charlotterio]

John Terry should quit...

[Swanny]

I reckon Wayne Bridge should park his car outside Terry's house just before he flys out to the WC and leave it there...simples

[Chingfordspur]

Will be interesting this weekend when Man City play Chelsea!!!

[HeroesComesandGoes]

Will be interesting this weekend when Man City play Chelsea!!!

Crunching tackles R Us

[ctw01]

Well doesnt that say everything about the situation.
For Bridge to come to that decision speaks volumes as to the impact the whole ordeal has had on him.
That must have taken a lot of courage and selflessness to come to that conclusion.
I dont think Bridge will get much sympathy over this matter, whereas Terry will continue his shameful ways and receive support because he"s perceived a better footballer, and thats all that people in general will care about.
However I now know Wayne Bridge is not only a better man , but a braver one too .

[ToDareIsToDo]

SSN have this story titled as "Bridge turns back on england" . . . . . joke really, hardly his fault hes been essentially forced out, and the fact hes taken this decision to save the England team alot of media bashing and to try to help the England team feel more like a team. The guy should be applauded for being the only one brave enough to take action.

[EliteKiller]

Not a joke - no one has the right to turn their back on their country - Shearer did it first and now Bridge - if your country needs you then you stand up and be counted. What's more important your country winning the world cup or who's shagging your ex? Bridge you are a traitor when your country calls you should come running .....

[Swanny]

John Terry should quit...

I take it you mean shagging mates partners

[HeroesComesandGoes]

To be honest - it isn't a smart decision to make. He's getting older and the opportunity to play in the World Cup diminishes with age. This is his last chance and all he needs to do is ignore JT in the dressing room. On the other hand, if my best mate diddled my missus, I would fcuking deck him.

[thfcire]

we have to remember terry was one of his best mates as well,didnt they all go on holiday together???.theres no way terry would quit,hes to much of a bighead

[Swanny]

Not a joke - no one has the right to turn their back on their country - Shearer did it first and now Bridge - if your country needs you then you stand up and be counted. What's more important your country winning the world cup or who's shagging your ex? Bridge you are a traitor when your country calls you should come running .....

Wow some statement fella, slightly different circumstances with this one I don't remember anyone shagging Shearers missus do you? say one of us pop round to your place and shag yours then we meet up for a game of footy in the sun....don't think so

[stroud_jm]

I'd take either Baines or a healthy Warnock over Bridge anyway tbh.

[luminoir]

elitekiller: I don't see how bridge can be blamed for anything tbh. He's not quit to throw a tantrum, the fact that players have privately stated they think terry's at fault means that the both of them playing together will divide the dressing room.

Terry has refused to step down or even resign the captaincy despite superior cover for his position. Bridge is being the bigger man by giving up his dream of playing in the wc for the sake of team unity.