Source: Daily_Mail
Rio Ferdinand should have demanded answers from Fabio Capello, says Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson has admitted if he had been in Rio Ferdinand's shoes he would have telephoned Fabio Capello to demand answers over why he had lost the England captaincy. [LNB]Robson captained his country on 63 occasions during his 90-cap career. [LNB]Dubbed 'Captain Marvel' by Sir Bobby Robson, the 54-year-old cannot imagine being stripped of the honour like Ferdinand, still less finding out through the media as Capello has been content for the Manchester United star to do. [LNB] United front: Old Trafford favourites Ferdinand and Robson have captained their club and country[LNB]'When you are a coach or a manager and you make big decisions, it is best to contact whoever has been disappointed and speak to them before it comes out in the media,' he said. [LNB]'I would have been on the phone to the manager asking what is going on about me being dropped as captain.'[LNB] Robson benefited from Ray Wilkins getting injured in 1982, in much the same way as John Terry has been reinstated due to Ferdinand's present absence with a calf problem. [LNB]'Ray broke his cheekbone and was out for so many games, for England and United, both managers made the decision they were going to leave me as captain,' he said. [LNB]'That was a big disappointment for Ray. But he was told by both managers before it came out into the media. [LNB]'I used to room with Ray. He is a good honest, sensible lad and took it in his stride.'[LNB] No looking back: Terry has the England armband again - more than a year after he was stripped of the honour[LNB]However, despite his reservations about the way Capello has handled the sorry saga, Robson feels the outcome has been correct. [LNB]'The England captaincy issue has got carried away a little bit,' he said. 'I said at the time, it was the wrong decision to take it away from John Terry. It was something away from football. [LNB]'He was captain of his country for playing football. That was his private life. [LNB]'Hopefully it is all in the past now. John Terry has been given the captaincy again, so everybody should get on with the job and let it settle down. [LNB]'Hopefully for the rest of the Euro 2012 qualifiers we will have a fully-fit team with the same captain. That is the most important thing.'[LNB]Robson was speaking at the Soccerex Conference, which opened in Manchester. [LNB]It was a welcome appearance from the former England skipper, who was forced to have an operation to remove a cancerous tumour from his throat earlier this month. [LNB]Robson must now undergo five sessions of radiotherapy but looks healthy and feels confident of making a full recovery. [LNB]'I would like to thank all the fans for their well-wishes,' he said. 'I am feeling fine in myself. [LNB]The man in charge: England boss Capello[LNB]'Theoperation to take the tumour out was successful. All the specialists have been positive and said that I should make a 100 per cent recovery. [LNB]'That is all I wanted to hear. I will get on with the treatment and try to be as positive as I can be.'[LNB]In the meantime, Robson is continuing his twin roles as Thailand boss and Manchester United ambassador, offering him a platform from which to back Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that next month's FA Cup semi-finals should not be held at Wembley. [LNB]Fergusonhas made the point that with all four competing clubs heading to Londonfrom the north-west, fans are having to incur unreasonable cost while both police and traffic services will be stretched on the same weekend as the London Marathon is being held and Arsenal play Liverpool in the Premier League. [LNB]The Football Association have held semi-finals at Wembley since 2008 as part of the stadium's revenue streams for repaying the huge cost of construction. [LNB]Theyalso argue that with its 90,000 capacity, it is the only suitable venuefor the Manchester derby between United and City on April 16 and the rare appearances of both Bolton and Stoke at this stage of the competition mean the second game 24 hours later will also be a sell-out.[LNB]However, Robson, who skippered United to three triumphs in the competition, disagrees. [LNB]'Sir Alex is right to point these things out because of everything that is going on in London,' he said. [LNB]'Itwill be a big problem for the police and there will be traffic issues as well. Maybe it would have been better playing at Villa Park, just to take a little bit of pressure away.'[LNB] In addition, there is the sporting element, with Robson believing the prize of reaching the final is diminished because last four encounters have taken place at the same ground. [LNB]'Ihave always thought the final is the one that is played at Wembley,' hesaid. 'The rest should be at a neutral ground. That is the prize for getting to the final.'[LNB] More humiliation for Rio as Gerrard reveals Capello's captaincy callTerry's warning to Rio: I'm back but you might not be after Euro winRio Ferdinand: Secret tweets of the former England captain aged 32He's back: Sportsmail takes you through Terry's return as captainBarry handed the England armband by Capello just days after being dropped All the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, John Terry, Fabio Capello, Bryan Robson, Bobby Robson, Rio Ferdinand Places: Liverpool, Manchester, London, Thailand, United Kingdom Organisations: Football Association
