Campbell hits out at England omission
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Your support makes all the difference.Sol Campbell believes he missed out on a place in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad because the Italian simply does not like him as a player.
The 35-year-old defender started the season at Notts County as part of the Coca-Cola League Two club's ambitious plans under Sven-Goran Eriksson after leaving Portsmouth, before rejoining old club Arsenal on a short-term deal in January.
It was an impressive return to top-flight domestic and European action with the Gunners and manager Arsene Wenger felt Campbell had done enough to make a late claim for a place on the plane to South Africa, but Capello did not agree.
"After my performances at the back end of the season, it doesn't make sense, as I was still fresh compared to many players who are exhausted after a long season," Campbell has told ESPNsoccernet.
"I have never met Capello, but you get the sense that he has never liked me as a player because he has never considered me, as far as I know, which is curious."
Campbell has plenty of international experience, having become England's second youngest captain, after Bobby Moore, when leading the side against Belgium in May 1998, before going on to play at three World Cups.
The last of his 73 caps came in the defeat by Croatia at Wembley during in 2007 which signalled the end of Steve McClaren's ill-fated reign ahead of the 2008 European Championship.
The veteran centre-back was particularly disappointed not to be considered as Capello called Jamie Carragher, 32, out of retirement as defensive cover and made a similar request to 35-year-old Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes.
"It cannot be my age, because he tried to persuade Paul Scholes to come out of retirement and also went for Jamie Carragher," he said.
Campbell is hopeful a new deal with Arsenal can be agreed for next season, but has also attracted interest from Celtic.
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