Wayne Bridge refuses to box with KSI after his comments about Premier League cheating scandal
The comments, which referenced Bridge's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel and a past affair with former teammate John Terry, reignited a long-standing public scandal that originally rocked the football world in 2009. The affair between Terry and Perroncel led to the breakdown of Terry's friendship with Bridge, creating ongoing tension between the two players.
During the confrontation, KSI mocked Bridge with explicit references to the affair, saying: 'Aren't you the guy that let John Terry smash your ex? I'm pretty sure that's what you're known for,'' prompting the crowd to chant 'Vanessa woah, Vanessa woah', referencing Perroncel.
KSI's remarks were seen as crossing a personal boundary, which led Bridge to announce on Monday that he would no longer be participating in the fight. Bridge stated that the comments were deeply hurtful and affected the families involved, emphasizing his priority to protect his family, including his wife, Frankie Bridge, and their two sons.
Photo: Frankie Bridge/Instagram
The statement read: 'I'm sure a lot of you have seen what happened on Saturday night at the Misfits Boxing event. 'Firstly, I think it's important that I explain my reason for accepting the fight. I always like to challenge myself.'
'I have always loved boxing as part of my everyday training routine. I was fully prepared to train hard and have some fun. Of course, I expected to face some criticism, but I feel like what was said on Saturday crossed a line.'
His decision to step back from the fight comes after years of moving past the scandal, as he has since married Frankie and maintained a focus on his family life. Although disappointed, Bridge confirmed he would seek another challenge in the future when circumstances are more suitable.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
7 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Donald Trump drags in Taylor Swift while praising Sydney Sweeney's controversial American Eagle ad
President Donald Trump reignited his public criticism of Taylor Swift in a recent post on Truth Social, while expressing strong support for actress Sydney Sweeney and her controversial American Eagle ad campaign. The remarks, made on Monday (Aug. 4), included a claim that Swift is 'no longer hot' and a broader commentary on political affiliations and cultural appeal. Trump praised Sweeney, describing her American Eagle advertisement as the 'hottest ad out there,' and attributing the campaign's success to her status as a registered Republican. 'Go get 'em, Sydney!' he wrote, referencing reports that Sweeney registered as a Republican in 2024. The ad has stirred controversy due to its messaging, with critics drawing comparisons between Sweeney's statement about having 'great genes' and past fascist propaganda. President Trump speaks on Sydney Sweeney being a registered Republican 'Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican? Now I love her ad. If she is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic' — FearBuck (@FearedBuck) August 4, 2025 Despite the backlash, Trump celebrated the campaign's performance, claiming American Eagle jeans are 'flying off the shelves.' The fashion brand responded to criticism by emphasizing that the campaign is focused solely on the jeans, not political ideology. 'Great jeans look good on everyone,' American Eagle stated on Instagram. In contrast, Trump targeted Swift, labeling her a 'woke singer' and repeating his earlier claims that her popularity has declined since he publicly expressed dislike for her. He reiterated past assertions that she was 'booed out of the Super Bowl,' a claim contradicted by eyewitness accounts, which indicate Swift attended the entire game and was cheered by fans. Trump has long criticized Swift, particularly following her political endorsements of Democratic candidates such as Phil Bredesen in 2018 and Kamala Harris in 2024. In May, Trump questioned whether Swift's popularity had declined since he said he 'hated' her, again suggesting that being 'woke' is detrimental to cultural relevance.
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Calvin Harris and Vick Hope welcome their first child
Scottish DJ and music producer Calvin Harris has become a father for the first time. Harris, 41, and his wife, radio and TV presenter Vick Hope, 35, recently welcomed their newborn son, Micah. The couple shared the joyful news on Instagram, with Harris posting a series of heartfelt photos and a touching caption announcing their baby's arrival. '20th of July our boy arrived. Micah is here!' Harris wrote, expressing admiration for his wife. 'My wife is a superhero and I am in complete awe of her primal wisdom! Just so grateful. We love you so much Micah ❤️❤️❤️.' One of the photos shows Harris cradling baby Micah while sitting outdoors, while another captures the couple's first moments with their son during an at-home water birth. Speculation about Hope's pregnancy began earlier this year during a BBC Radio 1 interview with actress Florence Pugh, where she appeared in a cream bodycon dress and was seen gently stroking her stomach. Shortly afterward, Hope confirmed the news subtly via Instagram, sharing moments from her career along with images of her growing baby bump. She captioned the post, 'Lots going on lately 📻📺👋🏾.' Harris and Hope married in September 2023 in a private ceremony held on a sprawling estate in northeast England. They made their first official red carpet appearance as a married couple at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The couple, who had known each other for years before rekindling their relationship, initially sparked engagement rumors in 2022. However, they have kept most of their relationship private. In a 2022 interview with Hello! Magazine, Hope said, 'I'm keeping my private life private… it's just for us.' Their son Micah marks the beginning of a new chapter for the couple, who have maintained a low-key but loving relationship.
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Is Shawn Mendes dating his collaborator?
Shawn Mendes has reignited dating rumours after posting a series of intimate photos from his time at the Sunny Hill Festival in Kosovo. The 26-year-old singer performed at the event, but it wasn't his music that had fans talking, it was the identity of the woman featured in several affectionate photos on his Instagram. In the black-and-white snapshots, Mendes is seen embracing and smiling at a woman who appears to be close to him. In another image, Dua Lipa joins the pair, kissing both Mendes and the woman on the cheek. Mendes captioned the carousel with 'all we got is love !!', fuelling speculation that the woman could be a new romantic partner. Fans were quick to react in the comments. 'Who's this shawn huh??' one user wrote, while another questioned directly, 'Are you dating Mr. Shawn Mendes??' The tone ranged from surprise to heartbreak, with many followers trying to piece together clues about the mystery woman. Online sleuths soon identified her as Luana Quaglia, an international artist supervisor who has worked closely with Mendes since 2019. Quaglia is responsible for handling the logistics and creative aspects of artists' tours and live performances. The two have maintained a long-standing professional relationship, and while neither has confirmed any romantic involvement, their evident closeness in the photos has left fans speculating. This isn't the first time Mendes' personal life has stirred attention. He was previously linked to Camila Cabello, and in 2023 was rumoured to be dating Sabrina Carpenter, a claim he later denied in an RTL Boulevard interview. As of now, Mendes has not confirmed being in a relationship. His post remains ambiguous, offering no clarification on the nature of his connection with Quaglia. Whether it's a romance or simply a deep friendship, fans remain intrigued by this possible new chapter in his personal life.
