25.02.2010
Bridge turns his back on England
Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge has turned his back on England after deciding the fall-out from John Terry's alleged affair with his ex-girlfriend has made his position in the team untenable.
Bridge released a statement through his lawyers on Thursday confirming that he did not wish to be selected for Fabio Capello's squad for this year's World Cup in South Africa because his presence would be potentially "divisive".
The former Chelsea left-back has been considering his international future since reports of Terry's affair with his former partner Vanessa Perroncel, a French underwear model with whom he has a four-year-old child, first came to light.
Terry was stripped of the England captaincy by Capello as a result of the scandal and the Italian had thought Bridge would continue to play for his country.
With first choice left-back Ashley Cole out with an injury, Bridge would have lined up alongside Terry in the England defence in Wednesday's friendly against Egypt at Wembley.
But the 29-year-old feels that is an impossible situation for him to contemplate.
"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 his statement.
"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 Cole sidelined for three months due to an ankle injury, Bridge's decision leaves Capello without both his first-choice left-backs and he will now turn to Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock or Manchester City's Joleon Lescott instead.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Graham Stuart
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