Fabio Capello Accuses Harry Redknapp of Double Standards Over Ledley King Call-up

Fabio Capello has questioned Harry Redknapp's criticism of the international call-up of Ledley King, and accused the Tottenham manager of double standards.

The England manager highlighted Redknapp's silence on the international duty of another Spurs defender, Alan Hutton, who only returned to reserve team action on Monday after four months out with a foot injury, but who has been included in Scotland's squad to play against Holland on Saturday.

"Harry Redknapp has spoken about the England team but Alan Hutton is in the Scotland squad after being out for a number of months but that has not been mentioned," said Capello. "I do not understand why this is the case."

Capello maintained his right to call up players to the squad whether they are injured or not, and pointed out that he did the same with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in advance of England's friendly against Germany in November.

"I think I should be able to check all my players," said the Italian. "I did it with Steven Gerrard last time and I wanted to do it with Ledley King this time. He was not injured when he played for Tottenham last week and it was important for me to speak with him and hear what my own medical people say."

King has played in Tottenham's last four games, and the England coach insisted he would be the arbiter of the defender fitness, despite knowing about his chronic knee problems.

Redknapp queried the decision, claiming if the 28-year-old was picked for the Three Lions - either against Slovakia tomorrow or Ukraine next Wednesday - if would effectively prevent him playing in Tottenham's next match. The Spurs boss then continued his attack on Tuesday, by which time King had returned to his club, with Capello informed there was no chance of him being involved in training this week and therefore playing in either game.

Capello insists he does not have a personal problem with Redknapp. However, he wonders why Redknapp has been critical of him when there has been no mention of Scotland coach George Burley picking Alan Hutton, even though the full-back only returned on Monday to reserve-team action after four months out with a foot injury.

Although Tottenham have opted not to respond publicly, club officials are unhappy at Capello's stance. In pointing out there had hardly been any contact with the Football Association in the build-up to King being chosen in Capello's 24-man squad on Sunday night, they also revealed Scotland boss Burley had been in regular contact and had already reached an agreement with Redknapp over Hutton's position within the Scotland squad.

More importantly, Spurs do not see a similarity between the two players as Hutton merely had an injury he has now recovered from, whereas King's degenerative knee condition needs careful management just to get him on the pitch each week. It has now largely been accepted King's international career is over, yet Capello's admiration for the player has not been affected and should King ever be restored to a decent level of fitness, Redknapp would not be required to drive the player to South Africa for next year's World Cup.

"If he was going to do that he should set off now - it is a long way in a car," laughed the England boss. "Without doubt, King is one of the best central defenders in England. If he was fit, Redknapp would not need to make the journey. King could come with us."