Bridge's ex-partner Vanessa Perroncel (pictured yesterday) is 'very upset' over the footballer's 'wrong' decisionIt is the pinnacle of a footballer’s career – to represent your country at the World Cup.
But Wayne Bridge last night threw away his chance to do so – and all because of wounded pride.
The defender refused to play alongside John Terry in the England team at this summer’s tournament in South Africa.
Still smarting from the humiliation of Terry’s affair with the mother of his child, Bridge ruled himself out of selection for the squad.
His decision will fuel criticism that modern footballers — as well as being overpaid — lack the passion and professionalism of former players – although many observers will no doubt feel sympathy for him.
Bridge, 29, was likely to be selected after his fellow defender Ashley Cole was ruled out for three months with a broken ankle.
But he spurned the chance, saying: ‘It has always been an honour to play for England.
However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.
‘Sadly therefore I feel for the sake of the team and to avoid what will be inevitable distractions I have decided not to put myself forward for selection. I wish the team the very best in South Africa.’
Bridge did not rule out a return to international football if Terry were to be dropped.
The married father-of-two has already been stripped of the England captaincy over his affair with Bridge’s ex-girlfriend, French lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel.
England manager Fabio Capello and players’ union chief Gordon Taylor attempted to reconcile the two men.
But Bridge is expected to refuse to shake hands with Terry when the two meet on the pitch when Chelsea face Manchester City tomorrow.
Former footballers questioned whether Bridge had made the right decision.
George Cohen, who won the World Cup as a defender with England in 1966, said: ‘I think he should have said, “We’re playing football for England and that should be enough. Forget what goes on outside”.’
John Terry (pictured training yesterday, left ) was dumped as England captain after it was revealed he had had an affair with Wayne Bridge's (right) ex-partnerThe ex-Fulham player added: ‘I find it rather sad that Wayne feels he can’t share a dressing room with some of the other players and in particular with John Terry, but at least he’s come out early and said so.
‘He obviously doesn’t want to be with John at all and you can’t put blame on that… But I have to say he’ll be missing out on something fantastic.
‘Winning the World Cup has stayed with me for 44 years and it really is a special achievement.’
Alan Mullery, who played for England in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, said: ‘I think he will regret this. Playing for England is one of the greatest honours.
‘I can’t think of anything bigger than being in the England squad going to a World Cup.
‘If you are in the professional game the one thing you want is to play for your country. If you want to turn it down for a reason outside football, I find that very difficult to understand.
Kissing and making-up for cameras: John Terry's stage-managed reconciliation with his forgiving and long-suffering wife Toni by the pool at a luxury Dubai hotel ‘He has been hurt but if he had given it another six weeks, this would have blown over.’
Former England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown said he believed Bridge had rushed the decision, and should be allowed to change his mind.
‘I fully understand if you feel that level of emotion and you’re not able to deal with that,’ he told BBC Radio Five Live.
‘But there’s a professional aspect here because he should have an over-riding ambition to win the World Cup.’
But former England midfielder Ray Parlour defended Bridge’s ‘brave’ decision.
He told Sky Sports News: ‘He’s the one who hasn’t done anything and has lost out, but feels he’s the one who will affect spirit and the World Cup bid. It’s a surprise but he’s gone through a lot in the last month.’
Miss Perroncel insisted she was ‘very upset’ about the decision by Bridge, with whom she has a three-year-old son.
Her publicist Max Clifford said: ‘Vanessa is very upset at what Wayne has said and that he has made this decision. She believes it’s the wrong one.’ He added: ‘I’d have assumed that Wayne Bridge and John Terry would have sorted out their differences man-to-man.
‘Can you imagine if we miss out or lose the World Cup because of having someone at left back who isn’t up to it?’
Bridge is due before the family division of Epsom County Court on March 25 for a hearing to decide how much he must pay Miss Perroncel.
He is expected to argue his regular payments for their son should be cut because of her indiscretions.
His lawyers are expected to demand to know Miss Perroncel’s income – including any pay-off from Terry to stop her from selling her story.
An online survey of 1,000 football fans showed two-thirds believed Bridge should have put England before his personal life.
Six out of ten said Terry should have been axed. The poll was conducted by www.OnePoll.com.
source: dailymail