Euro 2012: Footballing reasons? Baloney. Leaving Rio Ferdinand out of the England side was utterly insulting When Phil Jagielka, versatile but essentially a centre-half, was drafted in for Gareth Barry, Ferdinand's patience was tested. When Gary Cahill was ruled out on Sunday, and the nod went to Liverpool's Martin Kelly, Ferdinand dissolved in disbelief and resentment towards Hodgson. Sensibly, he kept his counsel, leaving his representative to stir the seething phone-in and social-media cauldron, whisking his family off to the Med, although his next newspaper column should make spiky reading. Any broadcaster on the look-out for a star studio turn at the Euros knows where to go. Except for one thing. For all Ferdinand's wrath, he remains a patriotic individual who wants to represent England, who is outraged at what everyone can see is the reason behind his snubbing. Hodgson did not want to risk possible friction between Ferdinand and John Terry, who awaits a magistrates" court appearance accused of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, Anton. Terry strenuously denies the charge. When the FA removed the England armband from Terry, this correspondent argued that they should have gone further, demanding that the manager, then Fabio Capello and now Hodgson, overlook him for the tournament. Anyone with any understanding of the fragility of the England dressing-room fabric could see that Terry's presence would be a problem. Footballing reasons? Even the stats don't back that. The age argument is laughable, too. Ferdinand has played more football over the past two years than the 32-year-old Steven Gerrard, who was made captain by Hodgson. Frank Lampard, who is five months older than Ferdinand, was in the squad until injury unfortunately intervened. Barry and Scott Parker are highly unlikely to feature on the road to the 2014 World Cup, yet both were selected for the Euros, Barry soon aggravating an abdominal strain. Ferdinand could not see why he was any different to the other thirtysomethings. Terry himself had a scan on a sensitive hamstring yesterday, and was given the all-clear, although the FA emphasised that he will be monitored on Monday. Heaven help us if Terry pulls up chasing Karim Benzema on June 11. Sir Alex Ferguson continues to pick Ferdinand. Even for we ardent admirers of Phil Jones at centre-half acknowledge Ferdinand's steadying influence ahead of Jones's rich potential. Hodgson could have had a blend in his squad of promising and established, of Jones and Ferdinand. It's good to take some youngsters to tournaments, just as Ferdinand himself went to France 98, allowing apprentices to learn from sorcerers. Sympathy is due Kelly, too. He may one day mature into a fine international. He trained diligently with the squad for the Norway friendly, came on in Oslo, was released and yesterday rushed back from holiday in New York. Kelly is an innocent dragged into this maelstrom. Many Manchester City fans cannot understand why Kelly has been chosen instead of Micah Richards. He had refused to go on standby only because Stuart Pearce rang him, not Hodgson, and he took that as an insult when the manager called everyone else. If Hodgson had phoned, Richards could have been talked around. Instead, he left for Barbados with an equally disappointed Daniel Sturridge. Ultimately, Richards was shocked more by Ferdinand's exclusion. No wonder. Ferdinand is a great role model, in demand by everyone from politicians to campaigning groups, working at combating racism, knife-crime and youth unemployment. This correspondent's support for Hodgson endures, even if the Euros turn turbulent, but he has not handled the Ferdinand situation well.