Rio Ferdinand Pulls out of England Squad, International Future Again in Question

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 18, 2013

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Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn from the England squad for two upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In doing so, the 34-year-old Manchester United defender has again cast doubt on his international future.

That's not to say that it's over. The fact that Ferdinand was in manager Roy Hodgson's squad at all proves otherwise. But one cannot help but think that this is—once again, admittedly—the beginning of the end.

Let's back up.

Last summer, Ferdinand's international career appeared to be over when Hodgson left Ferdinand out of England's Euro 2012 squad. Hodgson instead picked Chelsea's John Terry, citing "footballing reasons" (via The Guardian) for the decision.

Complicating the situation was Terry's ongoing trial over alleged racist comments towards Ferdinand's brother, Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand (who is now on loan with Bursaspor in Turkey).

"Rio Ferdinand for me is not a player that you call up as a substitute, or to cover for the players that you have," Hodgson said at the time.

Ferdinand responded angrily via Twitter, famously tweeting "What reasons?????!!" (via Daily Mail). In his official statements, he was more measured.

"You would have to say it might be over with England for me," Ferdinand said (via The Guardian). "If I'm not getting picked now, especially when people are out injured, then it's unlikely I will be picked again."

The same logic could apply now, although this time, it's Ferdinand who is responsible for his own omission.



Hodgson last week recalled Ferdinand to the England squad (via Daily Telegraph). Terry, who has battled injuries this season, was not selected. Had he stayed with the team, Ferdinand likely would have been in line for his 82nd international appearance and first since June 2011 against Switzerland.

Instead, Ferdinand withdrew, with fitness—though not an injury—cited as...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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