ROY HODGSON dragged England management to new depths as he was forced to issue a grovelling apology to Rio Ferdinand over his astonishing Tubegate blunder.
By SHAUN CUSTIS
Hodgson publicly humiliated Ferdy by telling London Underground commuters that the Manchester United defender’s international career was over.
Incredibly, the England boss has STILL NOT spoken to Ferdinand since axeing the 81-cap former skipper from his Euro 2012 finals squad in the summer.
Embarrassed Hodgson said: “I’ll try to contact Rio because he deserves an apology from me for finding out he’s been excluded in that way. I’ll give him my sincere apologies.”
Hodgson put his foot in it while travelling to the Emirates to watch Arsenal on Wednesday.
The Three Lions chief left a voicemail message on Rio’s phone and sent a text to his advisors.
A stunned Ferdinand, 33, accepted the apology even though he has again been left out of the World Cup squad for this month’s qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.
Hodgson added: “We’ll have to wait and see if Rio is still interested after what he might regard as an insult.
“It wasn’t intended as such and he may turn his back on us even if we don’t on him.”
Stoke centre-half Ryan Shawcross was called up for the two qualifiers.
