Campbell dismisses tunnel 'handbags'

Defender Sol Campbell has dismissed the tunnel fracas involving both sides during England’s 0-0 draw against Turkey in Istanbul last night as nothing more than “handbags”.

A melee broke out after the half-time whistle involving players and officials from both teams after Aston Villa defender Alpay had poked England skipper David Beckham in the face as both men walked off the pitch.

But speaking on BBC Breakfast with Frost the Arsenal defender said reports of the situation had been blown out of proportion.

He said: “There was a commotion in the tunnel, it’s a quite tight tunnel. But it was just pushing and shoving really. We call it handbags.

“But there was a lot of passion in there, you know, both sides want to win. There was a lot at stake.

“It was all sorted out and everyone just went to the changing rooms and that was it really.”

Campbell also played down the severity of the England players’ strike threats in the week building up to the game.

It had been reported the entire England squad were prepared to boycott the match over the FA’s treatment of Rio Ferdinand after the Manchester United defender had failed to take a drugs test at the allotted time.

But Campbell insisted the situation was never that serious.

He said: “A lot of the information which was seeping out to the press was a little bit false.

“There was never any situation about strikes. We just wanted to air our views, and that was it, because we realised how important it is for England to qualify. And it kind of brought us together.

“It’s done and dusted now we’re qualified. And I think we’ve got to move on now.”

Campbell, who was a rock in the centre of defence alongside John Terry, preferred to dwell on the 0-0 result, which guaranteed England a place at Euro 2004.

He said: “It was a good performance. The lads stuck together, we were away from home, [had] no fans, and everything against us.

“They’re a great side. They’re renowned all over the world so we had to be careful, shut up shop and we got the point which we needed. Fantastic really. A great result.”