Capello shock after Young turns down England call
FABIO CAPELLO was dealt a surprising blow yesterday after full-back Luke Young sensationally rejected his call-up for England’s friendly clash with Brazil on Saturday – before announcing his retirement from international football.
The Aston Villa right back was given the nod to join the squad on the flight to Qatar after first-choice Glen Johnson withdrew from the squad with a slight injury.
But reports suggest Young had informed the Football Association of his decision to quit nine months ago and that Capello’s enquiry was simply a bid to get him to change his mind.
Young has made only one start for Villa this season since the death of his half-brother Andre in Crete, in August.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill granted the 30-year-old compassionate earlier in the season, but Young admitted the minute’s silence for Remembrance Day which proceeded Villa’s 5-1 victory over Bolton on Saturday, had brought the memories flooding back. “It was quite emotional,” the former Tottenham and Charlton defender explained. “In the first few weeks after what happened I didn’t really want to do anything. It was really tough.
“Then you come in and train hard and it gives you something to think about. Now it’s a long time gone and I’m ready to focus on my football.”
Young won just seven caps in four years for England, the last coming against Argentina in 2005.
The decision, confirmed by his agent, leaves Wes Brown as England’s only recognised right back for the Brazil friendly.
Last night, however, FA chiefs issued a statement in response to Young’s situation, but refused to admit that the player had actually formally announced his international retirement back in February as believed.
“The England management were aware of Luke Young’s position but yesterday sought to clarify that this was still the case,” the statement read.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was the last high-profile player to call time on his international career, back in 2007, but England have suffered in the past with the premature withdrawals of Alan Shearer and Paul Scholes.