Abby Brammell

By Niall Firth

No thanks: Bridge walks past the man who had an affair with his former partner


Footballer Wayne Bridge refused to shake hands with John Terry today when he came face to face with him for the first time since it emerged his former teammate had an affair with his ex-girlfriend.

There was huge interest in how the pair would behave towards one another ahead of the game between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, west London,
As the off-pitch tension built up in the wake of allegations about Terry and lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, the mother of Bridge's three-year-old son, City player Bridge made his feelings clear by snubbing the Fair Play handshake courtesy to Terry.

As Terry, 29, stood in line with his Chelsea teammates, he held out his hand as Bridge filed past with his fellow Manchester City players.


Referee Mike Dean, right, pays close attention to whether Bridge will shake the Chelsea captain's hand


But while Bridge, also 29, shook hands with the rest of his opponents, he walked past Terry without making any contact.

The ritual was introduced by the Premier League two seasons ago as part of the Get On With The Game campaign to encourage acceptable behaviour.

Such was the interest in the interaction between Terry and Bridge that Sky Sports viewers were able to see the crucial moments before kick-off.

Usually, the broadcaster would screen adverts during the routine and return to the pitch for the main action.

But timings were altered to make sure nothing was missed.Before the game, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said he did not expect the atmosphere to affect his captain


Shake-up: John Terry looks down as Wayne Bridge ignores his invitation to shake hands... everyone else is watching as well


He said: 'John Terry is professional and doesn't have a problem in staying focused on the match.

'He has been doing good performances. He is in focus and has a good mentality.

'He has had a fantastic season and will do the same until the end of the season.'

City manager Roberto Mancini urged defender Bridge to concentrate on the match, which came just 48 hours after he withdrew from England's World Cup plans.

He said: 'He is a strong character, who has a strong mentality.'

Bridge's defiance comes in the wake of revelations about the Chelsea captain's affair with Bridge's ex-partner Perroncell.

The defender refused to play alongside Terry in the England team at this summer’s tournament in South Africa.

And today sources close to Terry claimed that Bridge was known as a 'bottler' in the Chelsea dressing room.

Bridge made his decision after it became clear that Terry was not showing any remorse for his affair with French model Perroncell.

Bridge claimed his presence within the national squad was 'untenable and potentially divisive'


Kissing and making-up for cameras: John Terry's stage-managed reconciliation with his forgiving and long-suffering wife Toni by the pool at a luxury Dubai hotel


Terry was stripped of the national team captaincy after lurid allegations were published and it remains to be seen how both players will react when the two players meet for the first time.

William Hill are offering 4/6 they are seen shaking hands at any point on Sky Sports and 11/10 they do not complete that courtesy.

It is it is 7/2 for every City player to snub Terry before the match.

'Given the Bridge announcement it looks more likely that the pair will shake each other warmly by the throat than by the hand - even though etiquette demands the latter,' said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Bridge's decision will fuel criticism that modern footballers — as well as being overpaid — lack the passion and professionalism of former players – although many observers will no doubt feel sympathy for him.

Bridge, 29, was likely to be selected after his fellow defender Ashley Cole was ruled out for three months with a broken ankle.

But he spurned the chance, saying: ‘It has always been an honour to play for England.

However, after careful thought I believe my position in the squad is now untenable and potentially divisive.

‘Sadly therefore I feel for the sake of the team and to avoid what will be inevitable distractions I have decided not to put myself forward for selection. I wish the team the very best in South Africa.’

Bridge did not rule out a return to international football if Terry were to be dropped.

The married father-of-two has already been stripped of the England captaincy over his affair with Bridge’s ex-girlfriend, French lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel.

England manager Fabio Capello and players’ union chief Gordon Taylor attempted to reconcile the two men.

Today Perroncell told the Sun that she that she thought Bridge had made a 'bring mistake' in giving up his place on the England squad.

Perroncell's publicist Max Clifford said: ‘Vanessa is very upset at what Wayne has said and that he has made this decision. She believes it’s the wrong one.’


Happier times: Cheryl Cole and Vanessa Perroncel during a break in the south of France in June 2009


He added: ‘I’d have assumed that Wayne Bridge and John Terry would have sorted out their differences man-to-man.

‘Can you imagine if we miss out or lose the World Cup because of having someone at left back who isn’t up to it?’

Bridge is due before the family division of Epsom County Court on March 25 for a hearing to decide how much he must pay Miss Perroncel.

He is expected to argue his regular payments for their son should be cut because of her indiscretions.

His lawyers are expected to demand to know Miss Perroncel’s income – including any pay-off from Terry to stop her from selling her story.

The sorry mess behind the beautiful gameThis is a timeline of events leading up to today's match which could see Wayne Bridge and John Terry come face to face for the first time since it was revealed the former England captain had an affair with Bridge's ex-girlfriend.

January 29
Terry is named as the sportsman behind a gagging injunction involving his private life.

January 30
The 29-year-old Chelsea and England captain, who is married to childhood sweetheart Toni and is the father of twins, refuses to talk about allegations he had an affair with French underwear model Vanessa Perroncel, Bridge's ex-girlfriend.

Bridge, who moved from Chelsea to Manchester City last year, also said he would not comment on the speculation.

January 31
Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe says if the allegations against Terry are proven they call into question his role as England captain.

February 1
Perroncel's publicist Max Clifford confirms she has been offered £250,000 to tell her side of the story.

February 5
Terry loses his job as England captain following a meeting with Capello.

The same afternoon Ms Perroncel makes a statement through publicist Max Clifford saying she will not sell her story as it might 'add more fuel to the fire' and does not believe it is in her or her son's interests.

As she makes her statement news breaks of Terry's fate. She appears open-mouthed and says: 'Oh my God... he's been dropped.'

February 10
Chelsea announce Terry will be allowed to miss their FA Cup match to take some time off and join his wife in Dubai at the weekend.

February 11
It is revealed Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole has broken his ankle and will be out for three months. Bridge, as Cole's long-time understudy, is the favourite to replace him but this would mean him playing in the same team as Terry, as soon as the March 3 friendly against Egypt.

February 13
John Terry's wife insisted they were a 'strong couple' despite the former England captain's alleged affair.

The 29-year-old was pictured kissing and cuddling his wife as the couple relaxed with their two children by the pool of a five-star hotel.

Speaking to The Sun, Terry said: 'The pictures say more than words can say about how we are as a couple.'

Two days later they return to the UK hand in hand.

February 25
Bridge says his position in the England squad is 'untenable and potentially divisive' following reports and events of recent weeks. He said: 'Sadly therefore I feel for the sake of the team and in order to avoid what will be inevitable distractions, I have decided not to put myself forward for selection. I have today informed the management of this decision. I wish the team all the very best in South Africa.'

February 27
Manchester City travel to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea. The game could see the two former teammates face each for the first time since the scandal erupted.


source: dailymail