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Capello issues warning to England WAGs ahead of next year's World Cup
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor10 Sep 2009
England boss Fabio Capello today ordered an unprecedented pre-match ban on WAGs at next year's World Cup.
The Italian has told players they will only be able to see their wives and girlfriends for 24 hours after each match during next summer's tournament in South Africa.
After masterminding England's qualification with a 5-1 win over Croatia last night, Capello's authority within camp has reached new heights.
He wants strict segregation of the sexes, which is the norm for the Italian national teams when playing international competitions.
Capello said today: “I like what we made here at training where the players stay together. When we are in South Africa the players need the wives, friends, the girls. One day after each game.”
He then warned: “We are there to play, not for a holiday.”
Capello's stricter stance comes after the fiasco of the 2006 World Cup under manager Sven-Goran Eriksson when the players and their partners were free to meet in the spa town of Baden Baden.
Rio Ferdinand recently admitted the arrangement was a “circus” and distracted players.
The WAGs' presence — which has been seen by some as the reason for underachievement in 2006 and failure to qualify for Euro 2008 — was part of a culture where England's superstars were expected to bring success.
Capello is now trying to play down any talk of winning the trophy, although he feels his side can beat any country on their day.
“We made the first step and we go to South Africa,” he said.
“But we have to work a lot because to win the World Cup would be a really strong moment. It's different when you stay at the World Cup because you have to win the first round and that is the worst moment of the tournament.
“We have a good team and are playing very well but we have to stay with our feet on the floor.”
Meanwhile, travel agents today reported a surge in bookings to watch England next summer Hundreds of travel packages, starting from about £2,500 for a one-match trip, had been sold even before the Croatia game but thousands more are expected to be snapped up over the next few weeks as enquiries and bookings started to fly in this morning.
Fans were warned that packages are likely to sell out quickly.
“I wouldn't expect anything left by Christmas,” said one senior travel executive.
Flights in and out of South Africa around the time of the World Cup, which runs from 11 June to 11 July, are already scarce and rapidly rising in price because of pre-emptive block bookings by major tour operators such as Thomas Cook and
Thomson.
Reader views (14)
shafique montani , toronto canada .
i would rather you not pick the team . you failed to notice that we were not in the 2008 championships.
- Clive, london, 11/09/2009 10:40
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In my opinion WAGs are the lowest of the low,cashing in on a free holiday.Merely trophy partners for brainless spoilt little boys who like kicking a pigskin about.
- Steve, London, 11/09/2009 09:10
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The WAGs are not interested in the men anyway, it's the money that does the talking.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 11/09/2009 09:06
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Good. Women are souces of men's problems!
- Graham, London, 11/09/2009 07:40
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Everyone except English teams known about it. They have not had much success because of their unprofessional.
- Tommy, Hanoi, Viet Nam, 11/09/2009 04:05
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Exactly right - its one month for crying out loud - soldiers in Iraq manage, prize fighters manage before a world title fight etc - Fabio Capello is hands down the best Manager England have had for a generation if not longer - things could go well next year if he keeps along the same path he is currently on .......
- Melly, Cartagena, Colombia, 10/09/2009 22:42
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Surely they can do without their wives and girlfriends for the duration of the time away. How did people manage in WW2? Do all the cricketers drag their other halves around the world with them? We did win the Ashes - remember.
Amber in Mitcham
- Amber In Mitcham, Mitcham Surrey, 10/09/2009 21:50
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What would be the situation if the World Cup was in England?
Would the England players go home to their WAGS(and children?) after each match but be limited to 24 hours contact with them?
I only ask.
- Coling, Doha, Qatar, 10/09/2009 20:32
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I agree with Capello completely; however , in my opinion, the WAGS should not be allowed to distract the players in any way , including nocturnal activities.
Some players who were involved in 2006 and 2008 had an air of arrogance just becasue of being English and playing for England. Well, we all know how they failed and under Capello , that arrogance has been replaced with urgency and purpose which is the reason why England are through to the World Cup. Congratulations and now England need to stay focused and believe they can win the tournament. Let me pick the team and I can assure you success!!!
- Shafique Motani, Toronto, Canada., 10/09/2009 19:21
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And also could the media please NOT roll out the "boys of '66" and build up the usual insane hype? Just let them get on with doing a professional job.
- Jethro Penzance, Bodmin, 10/09/2009 17:18
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At last a manager who is in charge!!!
- Goggs, London, 10/09/2009 16:28
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I cannot believe what I am reading. Our boys have a job to do! They get paid extortionate amount of money to play football. These so-called WAGS should not be allowed anywhere near or by the players until the competetion is over. Maybe they should take a leaf out of the serving forces - im sure the soliders on the front line would love their partners with them!
- Anon, NW London, 10/09/2009 16:25
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i really hope that they do stay away . we cannot have a repeat of the shambles of the last world cup .we were embarrased off the world football stage by lipstick and "stillettoes" (i don't care how it's spelt !) may i suggest a suitable hotel for the girls .
hotel kalahari desert?
- Clive, london, 10/09/2009 16:15
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The WAGS could do worse than take a page out of Melanie Slade´s book. She keeps a low profile, knows how to behave herself and no showing off in public. You´ve got a good girl there, Theo.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 10/09/2009 16:10
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