England Football manager Roy Hodgson announces his Euro 2012 squad today. Photo credit: ajlisss http://flic.kr/p/8amkTf
The background
England’s new manager Roy Hodgson announces his 23-man England squad for the European Championships at 13.00 today. While who’s going to Poland and the Ukraine and who’s not may not yet be officially announced, there have been widely reported leaks which suggest that Rio Ferdinand, Micah Richards, and Peter Crouch have not made the cut.
JT over Rio?
The exclusion of experienced Manchester United centre-back Ferdinand is by far and away the biggest talking point. It is widely considered that Ferdinand has been dropped partly due to his well-publicised rift with Chelsea’s controversy-plagued captain John Terry. Terry lost the England captaincy in February after allegations that he racially abused Ferdinand’s brother, Queens Park Rangers defender Anton. He denies the charges and is scheduled to stand trial in July. It is felt that, for reasons of dressing room harmony, Hodgson can only take one of Ferdinand and Terry. Is he right to have plumped for Terry ahead of Ferdinand (if that is indeed what he’s chosen to do)? Here’s what the big hitters on Twitter feel about the leaked squad news.
Surprised by Ferdinand’s omission. Would have taken both him and Terry for simple reason they’re best two central defenders we have.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHoltMirror) May 15, 2012
Over the course of his career Ferdinand has been plagued by injuries. But he has made 30 Premier League appearances this season, the most times he has featured in a campaign since 2007-08.
If Rio is left out, and that is the reason given, that really is incredibly harsh on a player who has served England so well over so long.
— Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) May 15, 2012
Brilliant, Rio dropped for the Euros, and the most divisive England player for decades, several years past it, is on the plane. #euro2012
— Tom Palmer (@tompalmer1992) May 16, 2012
Roy Hodgson has told Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch and Micah Richards they won’t be going to Euro 2012 guardian.co.uk/football/2012/…
— Barry Glendenning (@bglendenning) May 15, 2012
‘Rio Ferdinand dropped by Roy Hodgson’… Woy didn’t want to look silly shouting “Wio, Wio” from the touchline. (@C_C__Rock)
— Stupid Football (@StupidFootball) May 16, 2012
Don’t understand logic of omitting Ferdinand/taking Terry. Still tension in squad over Terry/captaincy. Unless, of course, Terry also out
— Gavin Hamilton (@WorldSoccerEd) May 16, 2012
Message to Roy Hodgson: don’t take that twat John Terry to Euro 2012. Please.
— this is my england (@thisismyengland) May 16, 2012
