Scandals eclipse England preparations for Egypt friendly

الجمعة، 26 فبراير 2010 - 23:50

كتب : Hatem Maher

England coach Fabio Capello believes there will hardly be any room for talks about his side's friendly game against Egypt due to the off-field matters that are grabbing headlines.

The Three Lions host Egypt at Wembley on Wednesday at a time where their dressing room atmosphere is spoiled with a personal rift between left-back Wayne Bridge and central defender John Terry.

Reports over an alleged relationship between Bridge and Terry's ex-girlfriend surfaced to dominate headlines.

Bridge consequently said he would not be available for England's selection while Terry was stripped of the team's captaincy.

"Yes. I am not lucky because I prefer the normal life and to speak about football, not personal lives," Italian coach Capello, who is consistently praised for the discipline he instills into England, told CNN.

"The next press conference will not be easy to speak about Egypt. A lot of questions will be about John Terry, Wayne Bridge and other things around their private life."

Regular left-back Ashley Cole, who is nursing a serious ankle injury, is also embroiled in controversy after rumors arose over problems in his private life.

"The younger children look to these players as an example for life," Capello added.

"For that reason, you have to understand that everything that these players do in their personal lives is an example for the children."

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