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Ohh, Burn: Ashley Cole Snubs Handshake Attempt From English National Coach Capello

To say it’s been an interesting weekend for the English national team may be an understatement.

First, goalkeeper Paul Robinson was named in the Three Lions side for the Aug. 11 friendly against Hungary and celebrated by announcing his retirement from the squad. Defender Wes Brown followed suit on Sunday, opting to call time on his career instead of sitting on the bench for England.

Then came Sunday’s FA Community Shield, an annual matchup between the English Premier League and FA Cup winners in a glorified exhibition game. Manchester United romped past Chelsea 3-1, but the fireworks didn’t start until after the game, when Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole snubbed a handshake attempt by national team coach Fabio Capello.

Cole hasn’t ingratiated himself to the English public this year. He was already on shaky ground for repeatedly stepping out on pop star wife, Cheryl (also here, here, and here). Plus he spent his post-World Cup vacation going all Mel Gibson on the British people in a voicemail.

If there’s one thing that is working for England though, it’s the epic disaster on the other side of the English Channel that’s stealing the limelight from the controversies of Capello’s contingent.

Cole may not be the most polite, but at least he isn’t leading team-wide work stoppages. And as far as we know, none of the girls he cheated with are underage prostitutes.

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