Ian Wright has revealed that the level of hatred directed at the England defender Ashley Cole leaves him feeling "extremely sad" and that John Terry deserves to take a measure of blame for the situation.
Cole was charged by the Football Association on Monday after making derisory comments on Twitter last week in retaliation to the independent report on the Terry case.
Wright told The Sun in his regular column that he is disappointed that the whole affair will dampen Cole's achievement of reaching 100 England caps when he makes the milestone.
He said: "I know I'm in the minority, and that you will probably disagree with me, but I feel sorry for Ashley.
"He has not helped himself, I'll admit that. He has a habit of saying the wrong thing at completely the wrong time and his latest comments on Twitter were misguided and downright stupid.
"In football, I have met some unsavoury characters, as we all do in life, but Ashley is not one of them.
"It is typical of John Terry that he finds himself in hot water then drags a mate into the situation."
The 31-year-old has been selected by Roy Hodgson for England's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland, and will reach the 100-cap mark in a Three Lions shirt if he plays in both matches.
Liam Power
