Capello blames England captaincy farce on Rio
Published 23:01 25/03/11 By John Cross
Fabio Capello last night blamed Rio Ferdinand for the England captaincy farce.
Capello admitted he made mistakes but did not apologise - and even claimed it was Ferdinand's fault they did not meet.
It was the first time Capello had been quizzed on the armband since the England boss reinstated John Terry reinstated as his captain and his explanation became even more bizarre.
Ferdinand was last night left bemused by Capello who claimed he tried to meet the Manchester United defender in the directors' box before the Champions League game with Marseille at Old Trafford.
Capello said: "I tried to meet him and it didn't happen. During the Marseille game. I waited for him in the directors' box just before the game started, but it didn't happen.
"I don't like to speak about the captaincy on the phone. I prefer to speak personally. So that's the reason I tried to meet him. I tried to meet him.
"I could have done something different but it is history. I respect the players. I respect all the people. Sometimes I regret what really happened but it is possible to do something better.
"Maybe I made a mistake. But I told you, I prefer to speak personally. It's possible to do sometimes everything better."
Capello has still not spoken to Ferdinand and the mess is another massive own goal on the bungling England manager's part.
But Capello insisted it was time to focus on beating Wales, forget the captaincy issue and he backed Terry to lead England to victory.
"Something happened in my mind when I saw the armband during the game in Copenhagen (against Denmark) when it changed to three different players," said Capello.
"I was upset for John Terry to see that. It was time for John Terry, after one year of punishment, to return the captaincy. Afterwards, when I read that Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard would not be fit, I decided it was the moment.
"Am I speaking about the captain or Wales. For me this is the most important thing. It is a really important game tomorrow. It is a really tough game. Wales are dangerous opponents."
Capello admitted yesterday - as revealed in Mirror Sport - that Andy Carroll is short of match fitness and Darren Bent is likely to partner Wayne Rooney up front. Michael Dawson partnered John Terry in training last night.
Jack Wilshere definitely starts but Capello's dilemma is who his partner will be. The England boss admitted yesterday he may now be more attack minded after Gareth Bale pulled out injured.
That could mean a reprieve for Frank Lampard in midfield, although Scott Parker partnered Wilshere in training last night.
Capello added: "Wilshere will start and I have some doubts with the midfielders and who to choose.
"I went to Liverpool to see Andy and he is not at his top form. I watched the game against Sunderland. He's good, and improving. Because he's big, he needs games. But also I think it's good to play (with him after) half-time. Not to start."
England (probable): Hart; Johnson, Dawson, Terry, Cole; Milner, Wilshere, Lampard or Parker, Young; Rooney, Bent.
Martin Lipton's Wales v England and Euro qualifiers preview and predictions
