John Terry should lose England captaincy

Dan Taylor
February 1, 2010
3 Comments
Terry-ble mistake

Terry-ble mistake

Another day, another sporting scandal. This time it’s John Terry who has become the centre of the national moral debate after being snared by the tabloids for playing hide the salami with a team-mate’s ex-wife.

When Tigergate erupted there was similar outrage in the press as the greatest living golfer’s carefully crafted image as a paragon of virtue was unceremoniously shredded before the prying eyes of the world.

Generally speaking, what a sportsman decides to do in the privacy of his own (or team-mate’s) bedroom is his own business. In Woods’ case the situation made such headline news largely because the real Tiger was so different from the one he would have us believe.

Despite all moralising, though, in the eyes of many men Woods actually gained respect for being such ‘a player’ – for doing what given half a chance they would do themselves if they thought they could get away with it. And to be honest, as far as the golfer is concerned, if he can still stiff a six-iron within two-feet of the hole then who gives a shit if he’s stiffing cocktail waitresses as well?

Kate Moss was similarly vilified by the red-tops when she was photographed taking Class A drugs but that episode did her career no harm at all. Her kudos factor went through the roof and before you knew it she had her own fashion line and edgy clothes companies forming an orderly queue outside her door to sign her up.

Terry’s case, however, is different because the revelations are nowhere near as surprising. This is after all, a man who had already admitted to doing the dirty on his long-term partner on numerous occasions in the past; the same man who took £10,000 from undercover reporters to conduct secret tours of Chelsea’s training ground and the same man who was cleared of affray after a fight outside a London nightclub a few years back.

More, crucially, however, Terry’s case is different because he plays a team sport and if there’s one thing that’s likely to decimate dressing-room moral it’s having it away with a team-mate’s Missus.

It should, of course, be pointed out that the allegations remain just allegations and it could well be that Wayne Bridge had already left his ex-wife before Terry got involved. Who knows, Terry and the French lingerie model may have fallen madly in love with each other long after Bridge left Chelsea for Manchester City.

However, as pious as it sounds, the role of England captain carries a huge burden of moral responsibility. It is the ultimate accolade for an English player and one which demands whoever wears the armband to be whiter than white.

A player having a bit on the side is hardly earth-shattering news, but if that bit on the side happens to be married to a team-mate then it is – especially if you’re that team-mate. As captain you’re supposed to galvanise your side – not destroy it. And whichever way you look at it, Terry’s actions are not befitting of a leader. After all, how can you trust a man who will commit the ultimate act of betrayal?

The decision will ultimately come down to England manager Fabio Capello, who is expected to discuss the matter with both players this week before deciding upon Terry’s future – and here’s hoping he makes an example of him by dropping him as captain.

Ruthless disciplinarian though Capello is, I fear he will deide aganist doing anything he feels will jeopardize his side’s World Cup chances. Unlike the peripheral and out-of-form Bridge, Terry is a key member of the side and if the centre-back remains unaffected by the scandal – which his winner for Chelsea against Burnley on Saturday would suggest – then the Italian will probably stick by his man.

The former England player Lee Dixon suggested today that Terry should consider tendering his resignation – which is the least he should do if he genuinely cares about the team. But integrity in sport went out of the window a long time ago.

And talking of integrity, at Paddy Power towers, the publicity machine is in full flow. The Irish bookmaker has produced odds on everything from who will be next England captain to which other team-mates WAGs Terry has shagged, with Abby Clancy leading the charge at 2/1 and Cheryl Cole priced at 80s. Classy.

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Tags: Article, John Terry, Lee Dixon, Paddy Power
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