World Cup 2010 - Bridge turns back on England

Eurosport - Thu, 25 Feb 11:40:00 2010

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge has made himself unavailable for England's World Cup campaign in South Africa.

2009 England defender Wayne Bridge - 0

The 29-year-old's refusal to be a part of the England squad comes in the wake of the scandal surrounding former Chelsea team-mate John Terry's affair with Bridge's former partner, Vanessa Perroncel.

Bridge was on the verge of a likely international call-up from Fabio Capello to replace the injured Ashley Cole in next week's friendly against Egypt, but the City left-back has now made himself unavailable both for that match and the England World Cup campaign.

"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 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."

Bridge will still come face-to-face with Terry in the next week, however, as Chelsea host City in the Premier League this weekend.

Eurosport

Comment 659 - 678 of 678

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face!! This­ is his career here, why let a plonker like Terry ruin­ it??

    From Janet, on Fri 26 Feb 20:24

  2. CHOOSE ENGLANDS LEFT BACK WELL WE HAVE
    STEPHEN­ WARNOCK, JULIAN LECOTT, LEIGHTON BAINS, PAUL KONCHESKY,­ MATT TAYLOR, NICKY SHOREY, DANNY HIGGINGBOTTAM, AND A­ MOVE FROM MIDFIELD TO LEFT BACK FOR GARETH BARRY WHO­ HAS PLAYED WELL AT THIS POSSITION IN THE PAST AND NO­ DOUBT SOME I HAVE MISSED OUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PAUL­ KONCHESKY GIVEN A CHANCE WHATS YOURS

    From accybeme, on Fri 26 Feb 18:07

  3. I think Capello will blame Terry.

    From Kah Wai, on Fri 26 Feb 11:54

  4. I hate to say it as a Chelsea fan...but at least­ someone has some class in this situation. He knew JT­ was the better player and more important to the team.­ He probably knew him playing on the same field would­ just be a problem. Maybe he should just get over it,­ but at least he's big enough to admit he won't­ be able.

    From E, on Fri 26 Feb 11:20

  5. Who cares if everyone knows Brazil will win the WC.

    From evandroveit, on Fri 26 Feb 9:33

  6. Couldn't get a game for chelsea or get a shag for­ chelsea - overpaid loser

    From diablo, on Fri 26 Feb 9:25

  7. has someone reminded him he is crap and wont get agame­ for England. If i got the chance to play for england­ the current wife could shag john terry never mind­ one of the ex girlfriends. Playing for England requires­ passion and this loser has none

    From diablo, on Fri 26 Feb 9:13

  8. Don't think she was his ex at the time, was she?

    From Michael, on Fri 26 Feb 9:03

  9. How professional is Bridge, ok so what went on or did­ not between JT and the ex partner of Bridge, lets not­ forget that the big word is EX PARTNER. Why should­ bridge be worried what goes on between her and whoever.­ He gets paid to play professional football and have the­ chance to represent his country. If he turns his back­ on the opportunity because of his personal feelings­ towards JT or the EX then he should be sidelined in­ City squade as well. Time Bridge was honest with his­ fans and state why he and the women became an EX in the­ first place, two sides to every story is he really an­ inocent party. Time to grow up Bridge and stop the­ publicity circus, you are either professional or just­ in it for the high bucks you receive.

    From Peter, on Fri 26 Feb 7:18

  10. What's all these nonsenses all about? I am­ disgusted about this Bridge. Is he a responsible man in­ the first instance? Why did he choose to marry a harlot­ in the first instance? She is no longer his wife and so­ why is he trying to hold the nation to ransome? The­ truth is that this bridge has nothing to offer to­ England at the moment - he only recently became­ relevant after the last injury of Ashley Cole. I think­ the press is just playing herself into his gallery.­ Leave him alone!!!!

    From Isoko, on Fri 26 Feb 7:13

  11. bridgey you want to be carefull turning your back on­ england your girlfriend should of when jt gave her the­ big gun and you`d have a very sore @#$%

    From wandering hobo, on Fri 26 Feb 6:45

  12. It's a real shame because bridge is a good player­ but this was his EX girlfriend so what the hell does­ the scandal have to do with him. The answer is nought­ so personally I dont know why he got involved in the­ first place plus he goes on about how it would affect­ the dressing room spirit is BULL**** because the whole­ dressing room wont be centered around them two.plus if­ they play against each other he wont pull out of the­ game because he has to shake hands and look at terry. I­ think both of them need to grow up as it isnt school­ but wayne bridge is goin to lose out big time but­ hopefully it can be somebdies gain like leighton baines­ who is playing really well and when he turns on the tv­ in the summer he will be kicking himself as he knows he­ cant come back

    From Andrew, on Fri 26 Feb 6:32

  13. How immature, Mr. Bridge !

    Playing for England is the­ best opportunity to put all this behind you. Instead,­ you choose not to face it because of an unfaithful­ (ex)girlfriend.

    An unfaithful (ex)girlfriend !­ What's the big deal?

    From The H, on Fri 26 Feb 6:09

  14. terry and bridge should get in the ring and winner­ takes all, i love to see terry get leathered by­ bridge

    From douglas, on Fri 26 Feb 5:58

  15. I am glad he has dropped out if thats his attitude.­ It's not even as if he's all that good.

    From Catmasher2, on Fri 26 Feb 5:09

  16. what a d**k Bridge is, He wasn't even seeing the­ slapper when John Terry had a go, grow up and step up­ to the mark when your country needs you

    From martin, on Fri 26 Feb 5:02
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    who cares, football stopped being a sport a long time­ ago, all football grounds are a waste off good building­ land.

    From tam, on Fri 26 Feb 4:50

  18. Too much money, and they don't know what to do with­ it.
    It will all blow up shortly, just like Irish­ soccer.

    From Hairo, on Fri 26 Feb 4:48

  19. If this was Sparta he'd be stoned to death for­ being a trembler in the face of the enemy. This man­ is a coward - he should show a bit of backbone. You­ don't have to like the people you work with, you­ just do your job for the team. No sympathy from me at­ all.

    From Ted D, on Fri 26 Feb 4:47

  20. Wayne Bridge has done nothing wrong its terry who has­ and should leave england .

    Wayne Bridge you should­ stand proud and play for your country the fans are for­ you

    From liverpool4eva, on Fri 26 Feb 4:42
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account

Global World Cup coverage