Recent entries in Football
England football captain betting and odds
Frank Gregan / 11 February 2010 Free Bet View Market
New England skipper Rio Ferdinand has a chat with two former capatins in the shape of David Beckham and John Terry
"Rio Ferdinand is the market leader. Yes that's the same guy who was involved in a sex scandal whilst on holiday in Cyprus during which a Sunday newspaper alleged that he and other players filmed each other having sex with girls that they had picked up."
John Terry has probably had better weeks! A Japanese tourist staying in London watching the coverage on our 24 hour news channels and seeing the headlines about our much maligned former England skipper could be forgiven for thinking that Terry had sold state secrets to Osama Bin Laden or had been caught breaking into Buckingham Palace and rifling through the Queen's underwear drawer!
That's not trying to play down his indiscretion or justify it but let's get real here, how many people do you know who have played "hide the sausage" in a butcher's shop that wasn't their own? Granted, to have an affair with a work-mate's wife is a little less common but it's not exactly ground breaking treachery.
Fabio Capello's decision to remove the captaincy from JT seems to have sated those who crave a squeaky clean, law-abiding, god-fearing and all-round thoroughly good egg to call heads or tails at the start of a game. Now the hard part: let's see who is waiting in the wings to take over and lead the country not only on the park but as a shining example of modern day moral ethics.
Rio Ferdinand is the market leader. Yes that's the same guy who was involved in a sex scandal whilst on holiday in Cyprus during which a Sunday newspaper alleged that he and other players filmed each other having sex with girls that they had picked up. He's hardly an ideal role model. Throw in a drink driving ban and an eight month suspension from football for failing to turn up to take a drugs test and the footballing far right have enough ammunition for a march on Downing Street!
Next in the market is Steven Gerrard whose behaviour off the park has generally been exemplary but had he been found guilty of affray at the start of the season he probably wouldn't be heading to the World Cup nor be able to watch any of the night matches - lights out would be at 8 pm!
Frank Lampard gets more than his quota of non-footballing headlines because of the ladies in his life but the emotion he stirs in most football fans is not outrage, but jealousy! Wayne Rooney has had his fair share of scandals, the latest one being the non-payment of a mere ₤4.3 million to a sports management company. In terms of embarrassment, the current litigation is a mere irritation compared to the howler that he endured as an 18 year old when he was caught visiting a 'massage parlour' and picking out a grandmother!
As a snapshot the evidence looks pretty damning. Obviously footballers aren't like normal blokes - or are they? The average reader of this site likes sport and a bet. Because of that he will probably have his own set of mates of a similar ilk with whom he reminisces, but instead of their indiscretions being tabloid material, they are laughed about. The dividing line has to be the law of the land and John Terry hasn't broken any.
Rio Ferdinand is a very skinny [1.23] to be skipper when England kick off their campaign against the USA on June 12th. He has had an injury-plagued season and there has to be a doubt about him being fit although on this occasion he is sure to turn up! Steven Gerrard is [10.0], Wayne Rooney at [27.0] and interestingly John Terry is ahead of Frank Lampard with Terry at [34.0] and Lamps at [50.0].
Amazingly, England remain third favourites to lift the trophy at [7.0] behind Spain ([5.5]) and Brazil ([6.2]). That's proof that as far as Betfairians are concerned the Terry affair has nothing to do with football, they are unconcerned about the scandal and the subsequent damage it is perceived to be doing to the England camp's morale.
One thing's for sure, last week's public stoning of John Terry was brutal but had it been a case of "he that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone" most of the contenders for Terry's armband would be putting their bricks down!
