Sol Campbell

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International career

He made his debut against Hungary on 18 May 1996, coming on a substitute. Although he had only one cap by the time Terry Venables selected his squad for Euro 96, Campbell made the squad as defensive cover. He came on as a substitute in England's 2-0 Group Stage match against Scotland for his second cap.

Over the next two years, Campbell became a regular member of new manager Glenn Hoddle's defence, partnering Gareth Southgate and Tony Adams. On 29 May 1998, at 23 years and 248 days, Campbell became what was then England's second-youngest captain after Bobby Moorecite web | url=http://www.englandfanzine.co.uk/records/records1.html | title=England Records | work=EnglandFanzine.co.uk ] in a 0-0 draw against Belgium, though Michael Owen has subsequently overtaken Campbell after captaining England against Paraguay in April 2002. Campbell started all four of England's matches in the 1998 World Cup.

During the 1998 World Cup, Campbell was involved in a highly controversial incident in England's second round clash against Argentina. [cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/123666.stm | title=England pay penalty again | work=BBC Sport | date=1998-06-30 ] With fewer than ten minutes to go, the score was 2-2 and England were down to ten men after David Beckham was sent off. Campbell headed a corner into the Argentinian net. He wheeled away to celebrate his first international goal, which looked likely to put England into the quarter-finals, but an illegal elbow to the goalkeeper by Alan Shearer had caused the referee to blow for a foul. Campbell was still in the corner of the pitch dancing round the corner flag as Argentina restarted the game and counter-attacked. England eventually lost the game on penalties.

Campbell was his country's first choice centre-back and played in England's successful qualification campaign for Euro 2000 and in all three group games at the tournament, which England exited after defeat by Romania.

After the retirement of Tony Adams, Campbell partenered Rio Ferdinand and embarked on the Three Lions successful World Cup qualification campaign for the 2002 tournament to be held in Korea and Japan.

Campbell scored his first England goal at the 2002 World Cup in the opening group game against Sweden. England drew the game 1-1, but then beat Argentina 1-0 in the next match; Campbell's partnership with Rio Ferdinand was part of a strong defensive performance throughout the tournament which saw him the only England player to be named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team.England progressed to the quarter finals, where they lost to eventual winners Brazil.

Campbell maintained his place in the centre of defence as he took part in England successful qualification campaign for Euro 2004. During the tournament, Campbell had a late goal disallowed as England fought to make progress in their quarter-final clash with hosts Portugal, with the score tied at 1-1, Campbell won a header in the opposition six-yard box to score what seemed to be a late winner for England. However, the referee, Urs Meier, decided that John Terry had pushed Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo and gave a free kick. The game ended 2-2 after extra time, and England lost the penalty shootout. Meier received threats to his life afterwards and felt forced to retire for his own safety.

Campbell continued to play for England after Euro 2004, although his place in the international team had become less secure since the emergence of the central defensive partnership of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, which blossomed during Campbell's period of absence with injury in 2005. Nevertheless, in October 2005 he won his 66th cap and earned himself (jointly) a place in the top 20 most capped England players.

Campbell was named in England's squad for the 2006 World Cup, but was third-choice centre back, with coach Sven-Göran Eriksson preferring the partnership of Ferdinand and Terry. However, after a knock to Ferdinand, Campbell came on as a substitute in England's group game against Sweden, which made him the first player to represent England on the pitch at six consecutive international tournaments. As of 20 June 2006 he has played 69 times for England, scoring one goal. After Sven Goran Eriksson's resignation, new coach, Steve McClaren, choose to look elsewhere for central defensive strength and was dropped for his first game in charge against Greece in August 2006.

After a great first season at Pompey, ahead of England's friendly with Germany, after injuries to Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson along with Jamie Carragher retiring from international football, Campbell was recalled to the national team a year after being dropped by head coach Steve McClaren. However, an injury forced him to pull out of the squad for the fixture.

McClaren recalled a fit Campbell for England's Euro 2008 qualifers against Estonia and Russia in October 2007. This time, Campbell was selected for the game and won his 70th cap after Terry suffered a knee injury in training. Campbell played three more times under McClaren as England's qualification campaign failed and the coach was dismissed.

New coach Fabio Capello did not select Campbell for his first squad when it was announced in January 2008. Campbell currently has 73 caps.

International Goals

:"Scores and results list England's goal tally first."

Film role

Campbell made an un-credited appearance in Guy Ritchie's film "Snatch", as a bouncer at an un-licenced boxing fight. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1133593/ Sol Campbell] profile at IMDB]

Family life

Campbell is of Jamaican descent. He has a son, Joseph Jeremiah Tyler-Campbell (born April 2004), by Janet Tyler. He currently resides in Gloucestershire, having paid a reported £12 million for a luxury development on the South Cerney Lakes estate.

He is currently dating interior designer Fiona Barratt. He has been linked in the past with interior designer Kelly Hoppen, singer Dido and tennis player Martina Hingis.

Accolades

Honours

*League Cup: 1999
*FA Premier League: 2002, 2004
*FA Cup: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008
*FA Community Shield: 2002
*Premier League Asia Trophy: 2007
*UEFA Champions League runner up: 2006

England

*Member of FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002
*Member of UEFA European Championship All-Star Squad: 2004

References

External links

*FIFA player|161455|Sol Campbell
*soccerbase|id=1275|name=Sol Campbell
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/shared/bsp/hi/football/statistics/players/c/campbell_11777.stm BBC profile]
* [http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Players/Postings/2004/03/Sol+Campbell+Arsenal.htm theFA.com]