Ferdinand's exclusion from Euro 2012: More than meets the eye?

There’s not a chance Rio Ferdinand was left out of the England squad for ‘footballing reasons’. Not a chance. The public knows that too – The former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler wrote in a column for the bookmaker Paddy Power

Roy Hodgson managed to be in another storm of controversy since his appointment as the England National Team Coach. His shock call up of an inexperienced and unproven talent ahead of England’s most trusted and experienced veteran for “footballing reasons” has raised eyebrows. In the light of recent events which has angered fans and pundits alike, making them feel concerned over the team’s progress in the Euros, what people feel sure of that it’s more of Hodgson’s concern over the Ferdinand-Terry racism row than football that he has tried to play safe.

It is quite understandable that a man of Hodgson’s age, experience and reputation would have certainly seen through the crisis situation and sought to have taken the best decision under the circumstances, even if it meant ruling out the next best-in-line defender available to him. But his reasons have made maters more complex and controversial. Jamie Moralee, Ferdinand’s long term business manager and friend, has accused the manager of a “total lack of respect”. This question is going to haunt Hodgson right from the time his team sets foot on Krakow till the time the team actually does get laudable victories sans Ferdinand.

Reasons for his exclusion can be multifaceted and I prefer to be absolutely neutral in this case.

Firstly, talking from Ferdinand’s point of view, he has had great seasons for the past three years at Old Trafford, especially last year when Nemanja Vidic got injured for a season. His amazing leadership qualities and ability to rally the players along can be seen in every game that he plays. Given his age, vast experience and being a former captain, I suppose his presence in the squad was essential in the light of injuries to players such as Lampard and Barry, with Scott Parker struggling for fitness. However, Hodgson has decided to create a team centered around Terry because of his stellar performances. Amidst the racism row involving Terry and QPR defender and his brother Anton Ferdinand, Hodgson must have been worried over a Terry-Ferdinand center half pairing. Like former England boss Steve McClaren aptly put it,

The most important thing is when you are together for six weeks in a hotel and you are cocooned within that environment, if you got anything going on within that squad that hampers the harmony and togetherness, it has to be avoided

Also Harry Rednapp, who was in line for the England Job, stated the obvious too.

“I think it’s a difficult decision for him,” he said. “There’s obviously more to it. If it’s just football, it’s difficult to leave Rio out, because he’s a fantastic player still. The last thing Hodgson will want is a a dressing-room backlash from players who may agree in this regard and those who may oppose.”

But we can’t all be harsh on the England boss too. Since his appointment to the post, he has seen his most experienced players miss out due to injuries, has had to change formations, has had to field young, inexperienced players in the squad, etc. To add to his woes, anti-racism groups and British media have aired their concerns about Ferdinand not being picked. But until the Euros are over, one should not judge the choices made by Hodgson. Even Sven-Goran Eriksson has come to the England manager’s defence saying

Many try to connect the dots between the race allegations against John Terry and Roy leaving Ferdinand out. I know there is no truth in these claims. How? You’re just going to have to trust me. With less than a week to go, Roy wanted the player joining the squad to be match fit, someone who has carried on with his training after the end of league play.

Meanwhile, the Manchester United player has, like always, kept his patriotism ahead of personal issues by this tweet of his:

Just so we dont get it twisted here… I’ll be in a pub somewhere supporting England this summer! Love the lads!