Ex-England international Sol Campbell has spoken out about the decision to leave Rio Ferdinand out of the Three Lions squad for the 2012 European Championships, hinting at a “cover-up”.
The 37-year-old former Arsenal and Tottenham defender was the latest to weigh into the debate, following Roy Hodgson’s decision to leave out Ferdinand for “footballing reasons”.
The discussion has bubbled on following Gary Cahill’s withdrawal due to injury when Hodgson decided to call up Liverpool’s Martin Kelly, leaving many perplexed considering Ferdinand’s good form late in the season with Manchester United.
“We have now reached a point where big questions have to be asked over Rio Ferdinand’s exclusion from England’s squad for Euro 2012, such as what are the real reasons, and why? And, is there a cover-up?” Campbell wrote in The Guardian.
“What we can say for sure is that this entire situation goes back to what did or did not happen between John Terry and Anton Ferdinand last season. That is the only logical conclusion that can be drawn and I for one never bought the argument that Rio had been left out of the original squad for ‘footballing reasons’.
“In fairness to Hodgson, he was put in a difficult situation, and we don’t know what pressures he may have been under, but his reasons for picking who he did simply made no sense - Rio had played great for Manchester United at the back-end of the season and was a key reason why they finished second in the Premier League and missed out on the title on goal difference alone.
“He is clearly in top shape and in top form and deserved his England place as much as anyone else.”
English FA chairman David Bernstein has said the matter won’t be discussed until after Euro 2012.