Capello blamed for Gerrard injury as England lose to France

The England manager Fabio Capello apparently agreed with Liverpool bosses that his captain Steven Gerrard would only play an hour of the friendly against France last night, but decided to leave him on the pitch until Gerrard limped off five minutes before the end of the game.

Darren Burgess, Liverpool’s head of fitness, blasted Capello and England on Twitter immediately after the match. “Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regard to SG’s injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history,” Burgess said.

“Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful,”

Capello defended his decision, and said that no-one can tell him what he can or can’t do in an England match!

“We spoke with Steve and he said he would play one hour, but after Barry’s injury we had some problems. That was the reason he stayed on the pitch,” The Italian coach said.

“They can’t decide how long a player plays with the national team. If it’s possible, he’d have played an hour,”

“I understand why they’re upset and I’m also upset. The problem is that, when you play this game on Wednesday after a lot of Premier League, Europa League or Champions League games, it’s possible there might be an injury.”

Yes Fabio, there is also a possibility that you might get beaten at Wembley and lose your job!