Terry provides Capello with an unwanted dilemma
Things were all going so smoothly. England’s World Cup preparations appeared to be firmly on course thanks largely to Fabio Capello’s meticulous preparation. However, they now risk being derailed by the revelations concerning the team’s captain. Capello is due back in England today to deliver his verdict on John Terry’s captaincy, a decision which could set the tone for the national side’s World Cup campaign in South Africa.
Following the refusal last week to renew a gagging order silencing media reports of the affair, newspapers, television channels and radio stations embarked on a frenzied exposition of the seedy details. Whatever they may be, the facts remain the same; that the Chelsea and England football defender conducted a four month relationship with the ex-girlfriend of his former best friend, getting her pregnant in the process and subsequently paying for the abortion. Dilemma.
Revelations do not come much more blockbusting than this; add to this the timing of the disclosure, coming just months before a major tournament, and you have a story that will not leave the front pages for weeks. Terry has behaved despicably, of that there can be no doubt, but the intense scrutiny that will accompany the outage of his actions will centre on whether Fabio Capello should, and indeed does, strip Terry of the England captaincy.
I have always thought that as a defender, Terry epitomised everything anyone could ask for. He is bullish, unshrinking, and a born leader of men. As well as being arguably the best defender in the country, he also weighs in with his share of goals. I have always suspected however, that the occasionally malicious, often cynical side to him which watchful eyes will have witnessed on the pitch, formed the main part of his personality off the field.
How right this has proved, though whether or not this should have any bearing on the situation is the main issue for debate: should he be stripped of the England captaincy which evidently means so much to him, and that he has strived so hard for, for mistakes made in his private life? Millions of people across the country will say yes, and I find this a little hypocritical: how many of the people voicing this opinion have also behaved less than exemplary outside of their working lives, and yet suffered no consequences because quite simply, their private life is of no concern to their employers?
Similarly, what the average person may get away with, Terry has very little chance of successfully imitating, because of his celebrity status. So it is clear media exposure, if anything, will bring about his downfall. Obviously, there are those who claim that an England captain should be a steadfast role model; such is his position of privilege. So the final decision will lie with Capello, a man big on morals and intolerant of scandal. He must decide whether Terry would be more inspirational or disruptive to his England team. Just what effect will the mixed feelings of the other players have?
This is Capello’s biggest call as manager so far, and one that he desperately needs to get right.
Mike Dicker
