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Bridge quits England over John Terry scandal
Defender says being in the squad with Terry would be ‘untenable and potentially divisive’
Footballer Wayne Bridge, the wronged party in the John Terry scandal, has turned his back on England and announced that he no longer wants to play for his country. The shock move comes after the revelation that Bridge's former friend and Chelsea team-mate Terry had an affair with his former partner, Vanessa Perroncel.
Bridge was said to be left devastated and humiliated by the news of the affair and no longer believes he can play alongside Terry. He said in a statement that his presence in an England squad would be "untenable and potentially divisive".
The full back, who now plays for Manchester City, indicated that he would not be changing his mind by adding "I wish the team all the very best [at the World Cup] in South Africa."
Bridge and Terry played in the same Chelsea team and were close friends and neighbours. But when Bridge was transferred to City in January 2009, Terry began his affair with Perroncel.
The scandal has already had significant repercussions - John Terry was stripped of the England captaincy by a furious Fabio Capello. But the latest development leaves the England manager without a left-back for Wednesday's friendly game against Egypt and a selection headache ahead of the World Cup this summer.
Although Bridge was not an automatic selection for England he was seen as the understudy to the regular left back Ashley Cole – who is no stranger to the headlines himself.
Cole, whose marriage to Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole combusted in spectacular style last week, is currently out with a broken ankle. ·
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What a sad shame. To play football your whole life and representing one's country is such an honor and a real life achievement. To bow out of England's National Team, all because of other despicable people in his life, is a crying shame. Wayne should not resign his place on England's team, but stand tall and play strong.
I haven't been following this story very closely. As I understand it, Wayne Bridge fathered a child with Vanessa Perroncel, but has since parted from her. If she chooses to have a relationship with someone else, even a misguided one with a married man, I don't see what it has to do with Bridges. Has he remained celibate since they parted? I doubt it.
If Ashley Cole can nip in with Terry's wife, Terry can patch it up with Vanessa and Wayne can put a smile on Cheryl's face they can all live happily ever after. Wayne & Cheryl? Made for each other...would look good in the front windscreen.