The Saturday debate: Was Wayne Bridge right to quit England?

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog

Published 08:00 27/02/10

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Wayne Bridge earlier this week announced he would not be available for England selection in the wake of John Terry's affair with his ex-girlfriend.

The Manchester City star said his involvement in the squad is now 'untenable and potentially divisive' following the recent revelations.

Bridge's decision to turn his back on Fabio Capello has drawn fierce debate and we asked Harry Redknapp and George Cohen whether he was right to quit England.

But what do you think? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

YES: Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp reckons Bridge is right to quit England if he feels his presence could disrupt team morale.

"I don’t know how you sort this out. It’s not like two players having a fight, is it? Eyal forgave John very quickly. John was out of order and realised that. He was going through a bad time and lost his head.”

“I don’t know if it’s the correct decision, but it’s his decision.

“None of us can judge until they’ve been in the position Wayne is in. If someone went with your wife or your girlfriend, what would you do? 

“Football-wise it’s a massive loss for him not to go to the World Cup. It’s a brave decision and he obviously feels that strongly about it.

“It’s his life. If he doesn’t feel comfortable in that dressing room, or with everyone looking at him, he’s the only one who can come to terms with that.”

NO: Former England full-back George Cohen says Bridge should have out personal differences aside for the sake of England.

“If I were in Wayne Bridge’s position, I’d be saying “it’s not about me or John Terry – it’s about England”.

"It’s about the country. Going to the World Cup for the team and the country.

"He is talking about the animosity in the dressing room and the possibility of people taking sides, but you have to put your personal issues aside.

"You are out there to put in a performance on the pitch and to leave everything else in the dressing room.

"I would have asked Fabio Capello first and what his thoughts were.

"I think it is the wrong time to leave. He knows that Ashley Cole is doubtful through injury – and he should reconsider, if he is allowed to.

"Left back is now a real problem for Capello as he has shared out the games between Cole and Bridge – and now neither are available.

It will be a serious problem if Cole is not ready for the summer.

"Full back is not an easy position. You have to know what you’re doing or you’ll get murdered.

"When you reach World Cup level, you need somebody who has been around, knows the game and, most importantly, knows the position."

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