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Capello condemns the media

Fabio Capello is angry over his press coverage © Getty Images

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Fabio Capello is furious about the personal abuse he is suffering at the hands of the English media and even considered refusing to appear at press conferences in the wake of the criticism, Soccernet can reveal.

Capello has come under heavy fire from the press following England's World Cup defeat to Germany, and one tabloid this week depicted him with donkey ears under the headline 'Jackass' for leaving Jack Wilshire and Andy Carroll out of his opening European Championship squad.

Soccernet has been informed that Capello has been so incensed that behind-the-scenes discussions with the FA have taken place about whether he should abandon his media conferences ahead of the Bulgaria tie.

The FA has talked Capello out of such drastic action, which would be the first time an England coach has ever refused to face the media, but the Italian has not ruled out banning the offending publications from his press conferences.

A close aide of Capello told Soccernet on Saturday morning: "I have never see Fabio in his entire life so enraged [as] by being depicted as a 'jackass'. That is so disrespectful.

"He has been one of the world's most successful people in football over 33 years as a player and as a manager. Respected worldwide. He can take criticism; he will accept criticism about the way he plays, his formations, his tactics, the mistakes over substitutions, anything to do with the game. This, though, is personal - very personal - and totally unacceptable.

"There have been discussions with the FA about whether Fabio should not help the media by appearing in press conferences, but the FA feel that would be prejudicial against all the media when only a section is attacking Fabio personally.

"Fabio feels very strongly about what is going on and, while sensible criticism is acceptable, criticism about everything and anything to do with the game ... this has become very personal and not acceptable."

Capello was impressed with Wilshire when he made his debut in the friendly against Hungary at Wembley, and Carroll has caught his eye, but the England manager felt it would be more beneficial for both of them to play a full part in Stuart Pearce's Under-21 side with the game falling on the same day as the European Championship tie with Bulgaria.

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