|
|
Ashley Cole available for England selection after apologising to FA chairman for Twitter rant
Oct 9, 2012 8:15:00 AM
David Bernstein has confirmed that only Roy Hodgson will be able to decide against the left-back's selection after he "showed real contrition" when trying to make amends
Ashley Cole will be available to play for England against San Marino on Friday evening after apologising to FA chairman David Bernstein for his foul-mouthed Twitter rant.The Chelsea left-back took to the social networking website on Friday after the governing body called his reliability into question when supplying evidence on behalf of John Terry in the recent independent regulatory commission's hearing into the alleged racial abuse towards Anton Ferdinand.
Cole wrote on his Twitter account: "Hahahahaa, well done #fa I lied did I, #BUNCHOFT****."
Cole, who later deleted the tweet and apologised "unreservedly" in an official statement, has been included in the Three Lions squad to face San Marino and Poland in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and remains a part of Roy Hodgson's group for the two fixtures.
And Bernstein, talking on BBC Radio 5 Live, confirmed that Cole has personally apologised to him on Monday night and is now "free to play for England" again, with only Roy Hodgson able to decide against his selection.
He said: "He apologised immediately on Friday and he came to see me last night and apologised to me personally," said Bernstein.
"He showed real contrition. He said he was really sorry.
"He is free to play for England over the coming matches. It is up to the manager to decide whether he plays or not."
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Make Your Prediction Choose match
England - Ireland
England
Ireland
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
England 8-0 Ireland
- 22.69 %
-
England 3-0 Ireland
- 13.45 %
-
England 3-1 Ireland
- 9.24 %
Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
4:44 PM BST
However, Dortmund simply cannot be discounted. They relish the role of underdogs and are not in the least bit afraid of their illustrious rivals, having now gone six Bundesliga games without defeat against die Roten. The last time these two met in a final, in last season’s DFB Pokal, Dortmund ran out 5-2 winners. As coach Jurgen Klopp pointed out this week: “We’re not the best team in the world, but we can beat the best team in the world."
4:43 PM BST
Bayern, of course, start as overwhelming favourites to prevail this evening, and understandably so. Not only did they mercilessly batter Barcelona into a shockingly tame capitulation at Camp Nou, they are also coming off the back of a record-breaking Bundesliga campaign which they finished a staggering 25 points clear of runners-up Dortmund, whom they are unbeaten against in four meetings this season.
4:40 PM BST
So, what do you think? Who will prevail this evening? Are Bayern going to banish the memory of last year’s devastating and inexplicable loss to Chelsea at the Allianz Arena? Or are Dortmund going to defy the odds once again and go from the brink of bankruptcy to Champions League winners in just eight years? Get in touch via Facebook and Twitter and I’ll be sure to post the best comments in here.
4:39 PM BST
Finals do not get much more appetising either. What we have here tonight is a game between the two best sides in Europe this season. There is just simply no disputing that. Dortmund have been beaten just once on their remarkable run to the final (quite the feat when you consider they were grouped with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax), while Bayern have sparked giddy talk of a new era of die Roten dominance akin that enjoyed by the Bavarians in the 1970s by dismantling the likes of Juventus and, in particular, Barcelona on their way to Wembley.
4:38 PM BST
That’s right, in the same year that one of the most iconic venues in the game turns 90 and the Football Association marks its 125th anniversary, two German sides will battle it out for the right to lift the most prestigious prize in club football at the home of English football. For those with a twisted sense of humour, irony does not get any more delicious than this!
Inside Goal.Com
-
The Dossier: Stop Martinez, stop Bayern
With the Mario Gotze missing through injury, Marco Reus will be charged with the task of stopping Javi Martinez from dictating proceedings in the middle of the park
-
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
-
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
-
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
-
Champions League Final Peview: Dortmund - Bayern
Jurgen Klopp's side will be eager for vengeance after watching their Bundesliga title slip into the hands of the Bavarian giants this term
