Handshake: But Fabio Capello wasn't so friendly
with Emile Heskey when the striker was caught texting on his phone
at the dinner table
Emile Heskey was the player who incurred the wrath of
Fabio Capello for a breach of the rules over mobile
phones.
When he became England manager, Capello banned his players from
bringing their mobiles into team meals. And after spotting the
Aston Villa striker secretly sending a text under the table during
the recent trip to Ukraine, he exploded with rage.
The Italian had already caught the attention of his players by
accidently dropping his metal food tray - it is said to have made
an almighty crash - but it was when he turned on Heskey that he
reduced the entire room to a stunned silence.
Capello reminded the players of their obligation not just to him
but to each other and the need to follow the strict protocol that
includes leaving their phones in their rooms for team meals.
He said it was not too much to ask to give an hour of their time
without interruptions from outside.
Heskey still earned selection alongside Wayne Rooney against
Ukraine but the incident served as a reminder to the players that
Capello's stance has not softened - even after their qualification
for next summer's World Cup in South Africa.
He still demands that the players always leave the dining room
as a squad, rather than individually, and also orders them to rest
in their rooms at certain times.
The diet is strictly controlled, too, although some players have
been known to send for secret supplies of their favourite
snacks.
It is an approach that has won Capello many admirers, given the
state of the squad he inherited after England's failure to qualify
for Euro 2008.
He also continues to command the respect of the players - even
if there is the occasional breach of the rules.
