Chelsea ace Frank Lampard has gone against his team-mate and captain John Terry as he supported Wayne Bridge's decision to quit the England squad.
Terry was stripped of the England captaincy earlier this season following his five-month affair with the former partner of Bridge, who ruled himself out of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad in the aftermath of the revelations.
"The World Cup is the pinnacle of a player’s career. But for me, and I’m sure Wayne is the same, what comes first is family."
He added: "Footballers are encouraged to get married young and settle down, but that isn’t always what they want or are ready for.
"If that is the case, it’s bound to cause problems later, and learning these lessons is something that every young man goes through.
"It’s unfortunate that the spotlight seems to be more on off-the-field behaviour than on football. It has created this stereotype that all footballers are cheats who spend money like it’s going out of fashion and have no respect for anyone. And that is simply not the case."
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Terry was stripped of the England captaincy earlier this season following his five-month affair with the former partner of Bridge, who ruled himself out of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad in the aftermath of the revelations.
"It’s very easy for people who are not in his position to have opinions on what he should and shouldn’t do. But I have complete respect for whatever he decides," Lampard told GQ Sport magazine.
"The World Cup is the pinnacle of a player’s career. But for me, and I’m sure Wayne is the same, what comes first is family."
He added: "Footballers are encouraged to get married young and settle down, but that isn’t always what they want or are ready for.
"If that is the case, it’s bound to cause problems later, and learning these lessons is something that every young man goes through.
"It’s unfortunate that the spotlight seems to be more on off-the-field behaviour than on football. It has created this stereotype that all footballers are cheats who spend money like it’s going out of fashion and have no respect for anyone. And that is simply not the case."
Related links:
Personal
Also see:
- Frank Lampard nominated for Sony Radio Academy Awards
- John Terry gets tricked into saying sorry to Wayne Bridge
- Wayne Bridge snubs John Terry handshake
- Fabio Capello: Why I sacked John Terry as England captain
- 'Wayne Bridge quit England because he had no choice'
- Wayne Bridge quits England over John Terry row
- John Terry had affair with best mate Wayne Bridge's girl
