Ready to quit England?
Ince considers retirement from international play
Posted: Sunday January 17, 1999 10:52 AM
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Ince was banned from three international matches by UEFA Graham Chadwick/Allsport |
LONDON (Reuters) -- Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince said on Sunday his prolonged UEFA ban has had him contemplating international soccer retirement.
"I'm starting to realize just how painful it is to miss out on these important England matches. And, to be honest, it makes me think of jacking it in," the hard-tackling former England captain told the News of the World newspaper.
Ince, who has said he would do anything for England, was banned for three international matches by UEFA in October after being sent off playing for England against Sweden in its opening Euro 2000 qualifier.
That means he cannot play for England again in a competitive match until it hosts Sweden in June, although he could be included in a friendly against France next month.
"Each day has edged me closer to the point of saying I will concentrate on the League -- because what's the point of putting myself through all of this when I have been so harshly punished in the first place," he added.
"I've wondered if it's worth carrying on with my international career, knowing that my ban stretches so far."
"I want to play and it would be a chance for me to keep ticking over on the international stage," Ince said.
The player was also given a three-match international club ban by UEFA in November after being sent off for Liverpool in a UEFA Cup match against Valencia.
Ince said his dream scenario would be for both himself and Paul Gascoigne to play France at Wembley but he accepted that "maybe that's just not going to happen."
"I know that Gazza would be sorted if he got back into the England set-up, that's how much it means to him," he said.
Gascoigne was dropped by coach Glenn Hoddle for the 1998 World Cup finals and has not played for England since.
"I wonder how much Gazza can take," said Ince. "If you keep fighting for the goal of getting back into the England set-up only to find you're missing out again and again, there comes a point when you say: 'I can't keep doing this'."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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