Graham Roberts: Not football reasons for snubbing Rio Ferdinand

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 04 June 2012

Roberts: Ferdinand, Terry conflict behind snub

Former England defender Graham Roberts thinks that Roy Hodgson refused to call up Rio Ferdinand in order to dispel any tension between him and John Terry.

Former England international Graham Roberts believes that Roy Hodgson's decision to snub Rio Ferdinand was due to the defender's conflict with John Terry as opposed to football reasons.

The Manchester United centre-back is believed to have been outraged at Hodgson's refusal to call him into the squad following Gary Cahill's omission through injury.

"Roy made his decision when he put John Terry in the squad," Roberts told talkSPORT. "It would have been hard for them to play together with this situation hanging over their heads. Roy doesn't want that hassle in this tournament.

"Everyone's surprised but Roy is looking long-term. With the World Cup in Brazil [coming up] he's looking to see if these players can handle a tournament now.

"Had John Terry been injured I would have thought Rio Ferdinand would have been called up. I don't think Roy wants the hassle between the two. Roy's in a difficult job and he can't please everybody."

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has been called into the squad after Cahill was forced to bow out.