Fabio Capello Breaks His Rules For The World Cup

When Fabio Capello arrived on English shores in December 2007, the national team was in complete disarray. Not only were the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard wallowing in self-pity at their failure to qualify for Euro 2008, but the entire squad needed a good boot up the backside. Enter Fabio Capello. The Disciplinarian. The man with more rules than a game of Canasta.

Fabio Capello, the opera lover, art collector, travel connoisseur and supreme football tactician, brought with him to England an unprecedented level of success.  Having bagged 9 league titles in the 16 years he has been coaching (two of those titles were stripped due to Juventus‘ involvement in the Calciopoli scandal), Capello clearly isn’t one to waver from his principles.

But in the face of the greatest sporting competition on the planet, and armed with a real opportunity to lift the World Cup, even Don Fabio can’t adhere to his strict standards:

Rule #1 – The England captain should represent the country. We can accept that John Terry is an awful role model but unfortunately, he probably does represent a large part of the country. That aside, Rio Ferdinand dodged a drug test and got an 8-month ban for his troubles and Steven Gerrard got away with assault on a bartender in Southport last summer. Are they any better?

Rule  #2 – Only pick players that are playing for their club side. Why Ledley King and not Michael Dawson? Why Emile Heskey and not Darren Bent? That’s just taking the mickey out of yourself Fabio.

Rule #3 - Only take “100 per cent fit” players to the World Cup. Ahem, Gareth Barry.

Rule  #4 – No WAGS. But Capello’s own wife, Ghisi, will fly to South Africa in a fortnight’s time to watch the last two group games against Algeria and Slovenia.

Hold your tongue Fabio! Don't say something you can't live up to.