What a farce: Cole captains England despite foul-mouthed Twitter rant at the FA

By Neil Ashton

PUBLISHED: 11:03 EST, 28 May 2013 | UPDATED: 02:28 EST, 29 May 2013


Roy Hodgson's England  preparations for Wednesday night’s clash against the Republic of Ireland descended into farce on Tuesday over the appointment of Ashley Cole as captain.

The Chelsea left back, fined £90,000 for calling the Football Association a  ‘bunch of t***s’ on Twitter last October, will be awarded a golden cap to celebrate 100 appearances before the game.

But Cole on Tuesday refused the traditional responsibilities associated with the role, which include addressing fans through the various media outlets, ahead of a sensitive clash against Giovanni  Trapattoni’s side at Wembley.

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Milestone: Ashley Cole features on the front cover of the match programme for the Ireland game

Milestone: Ashley Cole features on the front cover of the match programme for the Ireland game

Honorary captain: Ashley Cole will wear and armband on his 102nd England appearance against Ireland tomorrow and lead the team out

Honorary captain: Ashley Cole will wear and armband on his 102nd England appearance against Ireland tomorrow and lead the team out

Frank Lampard and Jermain Defoe sign autographs for a young fan as they await their train to London

Frank Lampard and Jermain Defoe sign autographs for a young fan as they await their train to London

A bemused Frank Lampard was sent to meet the press instead as Hodgson  backtracked after initially appearing to indicate Lampard was captain.

Hodgson said: ‘Ashley will do the coin toss and have the armband on. He is the captain on the night.
‘I want to give the guy who has 100 caps the honour of captaining his country for one day without taking on the other roles. Frank, who would normally captain the team in the absence of Steven Gerrard, has agreed this is Ashley’s night.

‘Frank has fulfilled all the other functions. Ashley wanted to captain the team on the night and let his feet do the talking.’

Big match build-up: Hodgson and captain Frank Lampard field press questions

Big match build-up: Hodgson and captain Frank Lampard field press questions

Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard during the England press conference prior to the Ireland game
Odd decision: Manager Roy Hodgson said he was happy for Cole and Lampard to share the captain's armband at Wembley

Odd decision: Manager Roy Hodgson said he was happy for Cole and Lampard to share the captain's armband at Wembley

Cole was punished by the FA for criticising an Independent Commission’s decision to ban John Terry for insulting Anton Ferdinand in October 2011.

Although he deleted the tweet within an hour, he was charged by the FA. He also apologised toFA chairman David Bernstein for the nature of his tweet but was told it would not affect his international career.

Cole agreed yesterday to be captain after talking to senior players.

He reached his 100th cap when England beat Brazil in February, but players are usually honoured in the next home game. Hodgson said: ‘It amazes me that such an event can cause such consternation. He won’t be the first player across the world to get his 100th cap who isn’t the captain normally.

On track: The England squad wait for their train to London at Lichfield station

On track: The England squad wait for their train to London at Lichfield station

‘The (Twitter) matter was dealt with between the chairman and Ashley Cole. They were satisfied that matter was put behind them. It’s not something we’ve taken into consideration at all.

‘I find Ashley a charming person, a fantastic footballer and I’m delighted to work with him every day.’
As Hodgson called on England fans to respect the Republic of Ireland anthem and not sing anti-IRA songs, Ireland captain Robbie Keane also called for calm.

On track: The England squad arrive at Lichfield Trent Valley to catch their train to London

On track: The England squad arrive at Lichfield Trent Valley to catch their train to London

Keane revealed he was a teenage boy in the crowd at Lansdowne Road 18 years ago when rioting fans caused the last friendly between the two countries to be abandoned.

He said: ‘We don’t want anybody to cross the line, and we certainly don’t want a repeat of what happened a long time ago.’

All aboard: The players get on the train in their new Nike tracksuits

All aboard: The players get on the train in their new Nike tracksuits

All smiles: James Milner and Phil Jagielka share a joke while waiting for the train

All smiles: James Milner and Phil Jagielka share a joke while waiting for the train

 

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At least Making Cole captain gives the soccer scribes something to moan about now Terry is no longer there. We all know the DM scribes don't like Chelsea or Hodgson. Why not give it a rest & writ something worth reading.

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And here's me thinking its because he struggles to put two words 2geva.

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Neil - are you Patrick Collins in disguise ? - Balance116 , Derby, United Kingdom, 29/5/2013 17:21 ----- Well done, you have just reminded me to send my DVD of The Human Centipede back to Lovefilm:)

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Absolute rubbish decision to make Cole captain tonight. How pathetic are the F.A. Should take a few tips from the rugby heirarchy, no pandering to the players there. No mouthing obscenities at referees, they now know the consequences! Hear, hear for the powers that be at rugby!

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Neil - are you Patrick Collins in disguise ?

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Shame on Hodgson for his climb down Cole is a poor role model for our young football followers.

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He wouldn't be the first little maggot to captain England!

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When is this sad anti Chelsea dweeb going to be let go. U never print any of these mails but this loser is giving your paper a seriously bad name. Do you not think this fool is not discussed by the proper Chelsea fans and many boycott from ever buying the mail because of his anti Chelsea rubbish. He seriously needs to get a life and write sensible and fair articles. Obviously bullied in the past by Chelsea fans and this is his only way of bullying back with a few of his other creepy mates in the press. You don't see Martin Samuel coming out with non stop anti Chelsea articles and you don't see these comments by fans like me on your pages because you hide the truth about this total creepy berk. I dare you to put this on and see the comments from fans. Chelsea FC Kings of Europe !!

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Yet another reason not to bother watching these 2nd rate footballers. Cole's ego is far too big and his skills very much on the wane - should he be playing? I think not. Time the FA and it's ridiculous manager got their act together - you screw up whilst representing England, you never get asked again - period.

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The English press don't deserve to see world class footballers playing for England, their treatment of them is usually despicable.

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