Could the British press ruin England's World Cup chances?

Written by Matt Pitt Wednesday, 03 February 2010 20:09

England World Cup Blog

Once again it appears the British tabloid press is trying its hardest to undermine England's World Cup campaign, this time with the publishing of stories about the private life of England captain, John Terry.

After a private meeting on Friday 22 January, a “super-injunction” order was put in place to prevent the News Of The World newspaper from publishing a story about Terry having an extra-marital affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge, French model Vanessa Perroncel. Just a week later, Mr Justice Tugendhat lifted the order and the story made the front page of the national press.

The allegations have run in The Sun newspaper all week and radio phone-ins have been inundated with members of the public calling for Terry to resign as England's captain and some even saying he should not play for England again.

It is not the first time there has been negative publicity for Terry but that was at the start of his career when he was young and inexperienced in life but his behaviour has been exceptional over the past few years and he was even named as Dad of the Year in 2009 in a survey for Daddy's Sauce.

Now, I am a big advocate for freedom of speech, especially in the press as we have a right to know what is going on in the world but I still cannot figure out why anyone would be interested in the private life of any footballer, even if that footballer is a captain for his club and country.

The only reason I can think of is that the British public hold footballers in the same light as celebrities and as a result thrive off any scandal they are involved in. If Terry was just a normal working man, nobody would even bat an eyelid whether or not he had been involved in an affair but because he is a very rich, young man he and his young family have to have their lives on display for all to see.

This is the last thing the England team needs as it prepares for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Pundits around the globe are all in unison in saying this is England's best chance of repeating 1966 and bringing home international football's most coveted trophy but now the press have released this story with the aim of disturbing preparations and causing unrest in the squad. If the story really had to be published, why were they not prepared to wait until after the World Cup? Why the sudden need to let the public, and Terry's team-mates, know about a mistake the England captain made off the field?

I personally believe Terry should be the captain of England and be the one to lead England onto the pitch in South Africa, after all he has done nothing wrong on the pitch, which is where any footballer should be judged. I was delighted to hear news today that Terry has refused to stand down as England captain, at least until he speaks with coach Fabio Capello on Thursday 3 February. I am hoping that Capello, who is recovering from knee surgery, does not bow to pressure and punishes Terry more than he already has been by his own family and confirms he will still be captain of England in the summer.

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Matthew Pitt said:

... Nick - I defintely don't agree with what he has done and you are right about it not being an issue in other countries. places like Spain and Italy report on footballing matters and nothing more. Dave - I see your point but it is highly unlikely Wayne Bridge will be in the England squad anyway. The best way forward, IMO, would be for the 30 likely squad members to vote on if they want Terry as captain or not. If he doesn't go why should Rooney who slept with a prostitute in his younger years go? Or Gerrard who hit the bloke in a bar but was aquitted? Or Rio Ferdinand who "forgot" to take a drugs test? Or Ashley Cole who had an affair? The list could go on and on.

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February 03, 2010
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Dave said:

Poor Wayne I appreciate the point about personal stuff not interfering with work but how would you feel if http://donkeythrasher.blogspot.com/ had slept with your girlfriend but was still captain of the RTR Poker Team? Could you play your normal game and taken instructions from him knowing what he had done? Terry should not and probably will not play for England at the World Cup 2010 but I agree with the point that the press should have kept it quiet until after we had brought the trophy home from South Africa

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February 03, 2010
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Nick (Cloud) said:

	... I agree entirely. I don't agree with what Terry has done, but in any other country this wouldn't be an issue - and the "Great" British press have done a hatchet job on our chances of glory this summer. And they'll be the first to stick the knife in, if we don't perform well.
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February 03, 2010
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