Wondered if anything was going to happen after Sundays game.
During Liverpool v City Sterling squared up to 2 fellow England players, Gomez and TAA
Anyway after a disturbance in a private team area Sterling has now been dropped for the game v Montenegro
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http://www.thefa.com/news/2019/nov/11/fa-statement-111119
We can confirm Raheem Sterling will not be considered for England's EURO 2020 qualifier against Montenegro as a result of a disturbance in a private team area at St. George’s Park today. He will remain with the squad.
Gareth Southgate said: “We have taken the decision to not consider Raheem for the match against Montenegro on Thursday.
“One of the great challenges and strengths for us is that we’ve been able to separate club rivalries from the national team. Unfortunately the emotions of yesterday’s game were still raw.
“My feeling is that the right thing for the team is the action we have taken. Now that the decision has been made with the agreement of the entire squad, it’s important that we support the players and focus on Thursday night.”
Sterling was heard going up to him and asking him if he is still the big man(as I said in the OP they squared up to each other on Sunday)
The fact Sterling is staying with the squad to train every day and is available for the Kosovo match tells you it's really not that bad, so i'm sure this could've been swept under the carpet.
As a result Sterling will probably be pissed off, the shit-stirring press will be on his back even more and the whole build up will now be focussed on this incident instead of the game.
Admittedly Southgate says the entire squad agreed but i find that hard to believe. If Barca/Real players can put their differences aside for Spain and Pique/Ramos play alongside each other for over 10 years then i'm sure we could've got past this without going public.
I naturally hoped they'd meet up, laugh and forget it - After all it was Sterling who instigated the whole incident between the two of them on Sunday... If Raheem has wanted to continue the argument then its the right call from Southgate
Certainly continues to show that Southgate dont really care about names
Although Sterling's statement on the BBC is fair enough
That is probably one of the few advantages that an international manager has - if a player of Sterling's calibre was dropped by his club he would be off as quickly as you could say "transfer window".
At least Sterling had the grace to apologise.
They're claiming Gomez offered to shake Sterling's hand and got grabbed by the throat
There will be a 48 hour media frenzy but it's over and done already.
Move on.
Hudson-Odoi the only other obvious choice
As said already; club rivalries between players have hindered the National Team for years - If Southgate let that incident go then what happens when the next happens, and the next - You suddenly see the players going back to the setup we hear of old; Liverpool players sitting today, Man City players sitting together etc. and all that work done by Southgate to break down those walls has been for nothing
All you hope is the
(1) It sets a fair precedent where it doesnt matter what game it is or who the player it is = same punishment
(2) The media dont start trying to find reasons why others arent receiving the same treatment, fair enough it comes out in the media AFTER the incident has happened like today but not where they try to create stories that havent happened
Southgate will have rules. One of those rules will be to leave any club matters/frustration/celebration aside. Once you’re on international duty, your only focus is England. He’s spoke about the mentality plenty of times.
The problem with a private word is that all the other players would assume he had done nothing. Unacceptable behaviour needs to be challenged, not swept under the carpet. Southgate has bought it out into the open, explained to all the players what his rules and consequences are and moved on.
Think about what would have happened if he had done nothing, or had a private word and appeared to have done nothing. There is a very big chance that the media hanging out with players would pick it up or someone would put it out on social media and then the questions begin and it drags on and he looks weak and ineffective. Players would have been sought out for their views, sides would have been taken.
Southgate has gone up in my estimation. Perfectly handled.
TAA...?? What the fuck is that...?
I know I've come down with a heavy cold (probably standing around in the rain sat afternoon)& not feeling chipper but it seems I've landed on another planet this morning.