May 17, 2012 -- Updated 1047 GMT (1847 HKT)
Campbell on Dalglish sacking, England selection
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- England coach Roy Hodgson omits Rio Ferdinand from Euro 2012 squad
- Former England defender Sol Campbell tells CNN he's baffled by the decision
- John Terry, the former England captain, is selected in the 23-man squad
- Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will captain the side, Hodgson reveals
Hodgson insisted he had
decided to exclude the 33-year-old Manchester United center-back from
his 23-man squad for purely footballing reasons.
But Campbell, who won 73
caps and played in three World Cup campaigns for his England, thinks
Hodgson's call has more to do with off-field concerns.
Former England captain
John Terry has been included in the squad, despite awaiting trial on
charges he racially abused Rio's brother Anton during an English Premier
League match in October. Terry denies the allegations.
Which countries have reached Euro 2012?
Ukrainian
fans are known for creating a formidable atmosphere in their own
stadiums. Here, Dynamo Kiev's fans hold flares during a match between
their team and rivals Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ukrainian
fans are known for creating a formidable atmosphere in their own
stadiums. Here, Dynamo Kiev's fans hold flares during a match between
their team and rivals Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ukrainian
President Viktor Yanukovych (L) shakes hands with Michel Platini on a
recent visit to the country by UEFA's president. Platini said in 2008
that Ukraine needed to "wake up" and "get going" after a series of
delays.
Ukrainian
President Viktor Yanukovych (L) shakes hands with Michel Platini on a
recent visit to the country by UEFA's president. Platini said in 2008
that Ukraine needed to "wake up" and "get going" after a series of
delays.
Platini
and deputy prime minister Boris Kolesnikov inspect work on a new
terminal at Donetsk airport. The improvement work, insisted on by
European football's governing body, comes at a cost of $412m, according
to the Ukrainian government.
Platini
and deputy prime minister Boris Kolesnikov inspect work on a new
terminal at Donetsk airport. The improvement work, insisted on by
European football's governing body, comes at a cost of $412m, according
to the Ukrainian government.
Ready to play host
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Euro 2012: Poland and Ukraine race to be ready
Terry was stripped of the
captaincy over the affair, leading to the resignation of Fabio Capello,
and Campbell is convinced the ongoing court case involving the Chelsea
player was a factor in Hodgson's decision.
"I don't know what's gone
on," he told CNN. "I don't know the conversation Roy Hodgson has had
with John Terry or Rio Ferdinand. That's going to probably be kept
quiet.
"But I think it did play a
small, or a big part in it, because you're away for four to six weeks
together, (Roy is) probably thinking, maybe something might happen at
the camp.
"But you can't say for
football reasons Rio Ferdinand shouldn't be going because he's
experienced, he knows how to play football, he's an excellent defender,
he's been fantastic for his club and country, especially in the last
three months."
Hodgson said his
conversations with both players would remain private though he did
reveal Ferdinand was gracious and wished England well for the
competition.
Of Terry Hodgson, the
former Liverpool manager, said: "I realized that when I selected him
there would be people who would raise eyebrows but that's the decision
that I've made, that's the decision I shall live with."
You need all your experienced players ... Rio knows his way around all these tournaments
Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell
Ferdinand took to social
networking site Twitter to express his disappointment at missing out,
saying: "Absolutely loved playing for England. To say I'm gutted is an
understatement of the highest order."
Campbell believes Ferdinand's vast experience on the international stage will prove a big miss for Hodgson's side.
"I can't believe it," he
told CNN. "He's played the last 10, 12 games for Manchester United,
he's played excellently, he's fit as a fiddle.
"You need all your
experienced players in a tournament like this. If you want younger
players who are coming in and learning their way around international
football, start with them in a campaign, at the beginning of your
qualifying.
"Start not at the end,
when you need the most experienced players at the tournament. Rio knows
his way around all these tournaments. You need characters like that."
Campbell, who played in
six consecutive major tournaments for his country between 1996 and 2006,
did back Hodgson's decision to hand Steven Gerrard the captain's
armband though.
The Liverpool skipper
has 90 caps to his name since making his debut in 2000 and Campbell
said: "I'm surprised Stevie didn't become captain sooner.
"He's always seemed to
be overlooked but he's an excellent captain for his club, Liverpool, and
I'm sure he'd be excellent for England."
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