Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand's chaotic withdrawal from the England squad has been blamed on poor communication. Ferdinand's withdrawal immediately cast a dark shadow over England's World Cup qualifying campaign with the unthinkable prospect of not even making it to the 2014 tournament in Brazil, says The Sun.
It also underlined the deep chasms behind the scenes as:
- It emerged Hodgson spoke to Ferdinand at the weekend for the first time in 10 months, since he omitted him from Euro 2012.
- Rio had no idea he had been recalled by England until he got a message from Gary Neville.
- The England camp were totally unaware of the meticulous fitness programmes mapped out by United to help keep Ferdinand fit.
- Rio still feels deeply wounded by the way he has been snubbed by England - and suspects he lost his place as a result of the John Terry race row with his brother Anton.
The crisis reached a peak on Sunday when Rio travelled on his own to London to meet Hodgson.
Ferdinand brought with him United's medical programme which is designed to keep him fit. Hodgson was then forced to accept Rio could not play in the World Cup double header.
