Ashley Cole is made England captain for the night (sort of)

Cole wants to lead the team out - but doesn't turn up for the pre-match press conference

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(Image credit: 2013 Getty Images)

A BALL hasn't even been kicked and already England's friendly against the Republic of Ireland tonight has descended into what the Daily Mail calls a "farce". The hoo-ha centres on the appointment as captain of Ashley Cole in recognition of his reaching 100 caps.

Despite the fact that Cole actually reached the landmark against Brazil in February, and despite the fact the Chelsea left-back has been fined £90,000 by the Football Association this season for calling them "a bunch of twats", he's been given the honour by England manager Roy Hodgson.

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Bill Mann is a football correspondent for The Week.co.uk, scouring the world's football press daily for the popular Transfer Talk column.