THE AXE FACTOR
Boss pulls the plug on World Cup single
FABIO CAPELLO has decided that England will NOT have an official World Cup song.
A host of top artists have contacted the FA, hoping to link up with the England squad to record an official anthem for their South Africa 2010 campaign.
It would have been a sure-fire hit but the England coach has vetoed the idea, deciding that he does not want ANY possible distractions for his squad in the build-up to the finals.
The surprise decision confirms the Italian's determination to remain solely focused on success in South Africa. An England insider told the News of the World: "There were a lot of big names wanting to record a song. Very big names.
"But Fabio does not want anything that could possibly detract from the preparations - even in the slightest of ways."
Capello's decree means that the FA will not release an official song. Bookmakers had been taking bets on who would get the nod to record the certain chart-topper.
Take That were believed to be among those vying for the job, which was being seen as one of the prime recording opportunities for next year.
And there were rumours New Order might reform and recreate their 1990 classic World in Motion . . . with Rio Ferdinand in the John Barnes role. It would have generated huge revenue, a lot of which would probably have gone to good causes.
But Capello - a major supporter of charitable causes - has reluctantly had to say 'no' because he has decided England's focus should be 100 percent on the football.
That is why there will be no WAGs circus in South Africa and no lavish farewell party like the ones staged by David Beckham ahead of previous tournaments.
Any commercial activity will be banned in the run-up and during the World Cup.
It is just another example of Capello's one-track approach to ending England's 43-year major tournament misery.
Two weeks ago, we revealed how he had dropped a silver platter in rage when he spotted one of his players texting at mealtime.
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This article has 14 comments
Thank goodness. I've added Capello to my Christmas card list already.
By Phil.. Posted November 1 2009 at 5:44 PM.
good job fabio uncessary anthem am an african (nigerian)die hard english team fans but were dissapointing with dere uncessary lavish party discipline thats what they need i wiil be very glad seeing england lifting the world with my boy wayne rooney be the top goal scorer as for harry barracuda ur a racist for that coment about africa
By opeyemi.. Posted November 1 2009 at 5:33 PM.
What good did those songs produced in the past?
Nothing. Capello did the right things. Removed all the useless, non-football related rubbish, concentrate on the football, England should have through at least semi-final in many past WC. Let's get it right this time for those suffering England fans. Would you still complaining for an English manager if England reached the final? Guess no one will.
By The past made no sense.. Posted November 1 2009 at 2:07 PM.
In my opinion, the squad should ban press conferences too.
By Marco Marboni.. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:19 PM.
Come on Fabio, we need something to drown out those awful african "farting" pipes that every idiot is going to be blowing at every game!
By Harry Barracuda.. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:19 PM.
Martin
Spot on mate
If we are not careful this hidious regime of a government will outlaw it in the near future...
We need passion and patriotism and of course a decent football team to eclipse the 66 winning mentality......
Tactics and courage will win us the WC next year however I still believe we are 2 palyers short
Centre back and Centre Forward to repalce Ferdinand and Heskey (Upson and ?)
By Yashin.. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:53 PM.
How about we get an English manager for England to understand the traditions of English football.
By Law_of_the_Jungle.. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:20 PM.
You clearly aren't going to South Africa!
World in motion, and Three Lions have been the nation's official or unofficail anthemns in the past, and more importantly, for the true England supporters following their team round the globe. Coincidence or not, it has been in 1990 and 1996 that England have progressed furthest in tournaments!
Sure it's all nonsense, but the fans love it, and England support on high spirit and full voice will undoubtebly help the players on the pitch.
By World in Motion 2010.. Posted November 1 2009 at 10:28 AM.
Well done Capello.
As for "God Save the Queen" is the British national anthem. Nothing to do with England and feeling English. In fact it is a rubbish song. It's about time the English started singing something like "Jerusalem" to get the passion going.
By david.. Posted November 1 2009 at 8:29 AM.
Let's forget about the song and concentrate on the football!
By Tim howell.. Posted November 1 2009 at 8:15 AM.
"OUR FLAG AND OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, TO ME IS OUTDATED.
BUT I WOULD RATHER LOOK AND LISTEN TO OUR SUPPORTERS. SINGING AND WAVING THEIR U.JACK
(please give us our nationality back"
What are you on? The St. George is our national flag ie. English, not the Union Jack and there is nothing like 30000 people singing ´God Save The Queen` before a match. That is our nationality!
By Martin.. Posted November 1 2009 at 6:49 AM.
WE CERTAINTLY DON'T NEED STUPID NATIONAL FOOTBALL SONGS.
OUR FLAG AND OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, TO ME IS OUTDATED.
BUT I WOULD RATHER LOOK AND LISTEN TO OUR SUPPORTERS. SINGING AND WAVING THEIR U.JACK
(please give us our nationality back,) NO MORE FOREIGN INTERVERENCE IN OUR NATIONAL TEAM.
TIME TO RELEASE THE BRITISH BULLDOG AGAIN.
(if we can find the right players,that is & not the movie stars.)
By les.. Posted November 1 2009 at 5:13 AM.
Fair play to him, football songs in the chart are an embarrassment anyway
By David Beckham.. Posted November 1 2009 at 1:45 AM.
Good! about time we concentrated on the football rather than silly songs and the hyped up newspaper headlines we will see as always.
By Dillis.. Posted November 1 2009 at 12:36 AM.