Leading article: Football not behaving badly
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.If every man who had an extramarital affair were dismissed from his job, Britain might well seize up the very next day. Nor is there any reason why personal morality should loom any larger in the world of football, even the world of the national team. In any collective, though, stability and cohesion must be paramount, which is why Fabio Capello took the decision he did, and why John Terry is no longer England captain.
At the end of a saga in which no one seemed to behave very well, however, yesterday saw a sudden outbreak of decency. Terry took his demotion like a man and promised to do his best for England. His alleged girlfriend declined to publish her kiss and tell. The Football Association deferred to the team manager. But the greatest credit by far belongs to Fabio Capello, who – in his refusal to be hurried, in the criteria he applied and in the dignified statement he issued afterwards – showed his mastery as manager and his sheer, incomparable class.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments