Oliver Kay
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Ashley Cole turned his back on appeals for “respect” from a referee on Wednesday night, but the Chelsea defender and his England teammates will get the same request from a voice that they are more likely to listen to when the national squad comes together to prepare for the friendly match against France next week.
Fabio Capello, the England manager, is ready to live up to his reputation as a disciplinarian by leading a clampdown on the intimidation of match officials, which he considers a blight on football in his adopted country.
In the week that the Football Association launched its Respect Campaign, aimed at improving relations between players and referees, the initiative was overshadowed by ugly scenes at White Hart Lane, where Chelsea players including Cole, John Terry and Frank Lampard confronted Mike Riley, the referee, during their 4-4 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Capello is said to have been unhappy at what he witnessed in that and other games since arriving in England in January and has informed the FA that he will address his players on the subject next week Cole felt compelled to apologise yesterday for his conduct against Tottenham, when he was guilty of an ugly tackle on Alan Hutton and of turning his back on Riley before being shown a yellow card, but he was named in a provisional 30-man England squad along with David Beckham, who will win his 100th cap if, as expected, he figures against France.
Beckham, 32, was left out of Capello’s first squad, for the friendly against Switzerland last month, because of a lack of fitness. But despite not playing in a competitive game since the European Championship qualifying defeat by Croatia in November, the Los Angeles Galaxy midfield player has seemingly done enough in his club’s preseason matches to persuade the England manager that he merits a place in the squad.
“I always said that when David Beckham was fit he could be in the squad,” Capello said. “I have had good reports on him from Franco Baldini [the England general manager, who watched him on Saturday in Galaxy’s preseason friendly against FC Dallas], and also from his club. I know a lot about David Beckham and what he can offer the team.”
Aaron Lennon, the Tottenham winger and one of Beckham’s heirs apparent, evidently still has much to do to convince Capello, having again been left out after an indifferent spell at club level. Michael Carrick, the Manchester United midfield player, was another notable absentee, along with Ledley King, the Tottenham captain, who will not be considered until he proves his persistent fitness problems are in the past.
The main beneficiaries are David Wheater, the 21-year-old Middlesbrough defender, who gets his first senior call-up, and Theo Walcott, 19, the Arsenal forward, who is in the squad for the first time since the 2006 World Cup finals.
Michael Owen, who has endured a difficult season at club level with Newcastle United, was also included and is expected to make the cut tomorrow – Capello will reduce the squad to 23 – despite the manager’s concerns about how the forward will fit into his tactical game plan. Capello is known to be eager to look at players such as Gabriel Agbonlahor, the young Aston Villa forward.
Another issue that will take months to be resolved is the identity of the captain. Terry, who held the position, was told upon Capello’s appointment that it was up for grabs, but, having seemingly decided against Steven Gerrard, the manager will consider the claims of the Chelsea defender and of Rio Ferdinand in the matches against France, the United States on May 28 and Trinidad & Tobago on June 1.
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Here we go again. Same old Terry, Gerrard, Beckham,Cole, etc.
The England team will continue to have problems. Its about time they started to build a new younger team. If there is no national talent, nationalize a few talented foreigners like the French and Spaniards do.
Robert, San Sebastian, Spain
Well to reinforce the message may I suggest he doea an Ashton and drops Cole, Terry and possibly Lampard for inappropriate behaviour.
Monty, Boston,
One of the reasons why I gave up on football many years ago and took up running and cycling.
Romans, leicester,
Refs.dessision on the field is FINAL,the player Carded sopose to face the Ref-without talking to Him when the card is shown.To solve the problem is verry simpel,iff and when the Player Mouts at the Ref ( Or when some of the players Swear with foul words) Yellow should be followed by RED. Assistant Refs should train to LIP Reed and find out howe many of the "Lads" use FU directed at the Refs.(W.Rooney is the front runner in the usage of the FU on the Pitch.)But then again you think Si,Alex would not have any Say to Refs.iff thay punish His Star Scollar? All we have to do is observe,Spanish-Italian-German Liga games and see hove the Refs.are operating and treated by Players and Managers. But for now i think it is Utopia for have any change in the near future.
Adam, Vancouver,
It's not just Chelsea. I remember Robbie Keane shouting after a referee, "Hey, you used to be really good" I don't remember Robbie being really good.
Ken Wyatt, Todmorden, UK
Following the comments from Rodrigues and Willis, how about using the Rugby Union idea of moving the ball 10 yards downfield if there is any dissent at a freekick decision. If there is more dissent at that move it another 10 yards until the players learn to shut up.
Paul Hutchinson, Calabasas, California USA
In view of Capello's reported views I trust that the Premier League''s Intimidator and Bully in Chief, John Terry, will not be rewarded with the England captaincy.
imj, Wargrave, Berks
Brian Clough would be dismayed at the current state of affairs regarding players and refs. Any contact on a referee should mean a red card.
Good for Capello
Robert, Ontario, Canada
I do agree with Dean Rodrigues, it should be pointed out by the Ref to ehe Captain, then Captain to player, line management, and any discussion limited to that. 10 minute sin bin for any player that breaches that rule.
A E Willis, London, UK
Football should follow Rugby Union - the referee only talks to the Captains of either side.
Although having said that, when a captain is as obnoxious as John Terry, the whole concept will break down. Alternative solution? Ban Chelsea? That'd do me...
Dean Rodrigues, Oxford, UK
Everyone knows that Refs are 'billy no mates characters', who have no idea about the game. Refs annoy me when they stop players and give them lectures, and then try and have a crack with them (they have als been known to ask for signed shirts etc after the game, whilst the game is being played).
It is indeed ugly to see chelsea et al crowding the ref in order to intimidate him into not brandishing cards, but until the rules are changed, managers mouriniho, Fergie etc will encourage this behaviour (afterall no rules are being broken).
Tom prince, Niigata, Japan
Ashley Cole is a perfect example of all that is wrong in football.
Slightly better than average, he exhibits slightly excessive belief in his own importance/ability.
Capello should ignore his dubious claims.
Derek Dean, Dublin,
We can be gratefull we now have a national coach who is prepared to teach civility and good manners to these morons who require an education in basic decency , something that used to be a parental responsibility . Their football ability is questionable to say the least but maybe Capello can improve their manners and behaviour , for that we all could be eternally gratefull . Is anything more shamefull for an Englishman to admit than we have to appoint a foriegn coach because of a total lack of professional football competence domestically , but then being thankfull that he can at least educate these people on how to conduct themselves in civilized society . It really is a national embarrassment .
Ed Allen, Whitby , Canada
I think football need to bring in the sighting rule that Rugby has had for years. Players should not get away with cheating.Imagine how it would improve the game if a sighting 3 game ban was imposed for continuous shirt pulling
Johnny Norfolk, Mileham, England
Refs in England put up with far too much of this garbage.
The only people who should be allowed to discuss a call with (not scream at) a ref is either the player involved in the incident or the team captain. Anyone else should be cautioned immediately. This crap has gone on for too long because the refs let it.
Brian, Upstate NY, USA