Former Premier League stars John Terry and Wayne Bridge have had an awkward reunion in Qatar while both are in the country for the World Cup.
The duo - who played alongside each other for Chelsea and England - were at the centre of one of English football's biggest scandals back in 2010 when it was alleged that Terry had been in a relationship with Bridge’s partner, Vanessa Perroncel the previous year.
That led to a rift between Terry and Bridge that was never resolved, with the latter refusing to shake the former's hand ahead of Premier League games on several occasions following the claim. They have now been reunited though while in attendance at the World Cup.
Bridge has been signed up as a 'FIFA Legend', who are contracted to make appearances at stadium hospitality and other events during the tournament. Terry, meanwhile, is working as a pundit for Qatar state broadcaster beIN Sport throughout the World Cup.
And in a strange quirk of fate, the Daily Telegraph report that the duo have been put up in the same hotel, the five-star Fairmont Hotel. It is situated in one of the Katara Towers and is located on the seafront in the Doha district of Lusail.
The Fairmont Hotel is said to be unavailable to the public during the World Cup. Instead, FIFA is using it as one of its official bases and to house its VIP delegation during the tournament.
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A room for the night the day after the World Cup final starts from around £1,000, with 362 suites to pick from. It is claimed that so far, Bridge and Terry have been able to avoid each other, though they are aware of the other's presence.
Terry has posted pictures of himself both in Doha and in his hotel during the tournament on his Instagram account. Bridge has not yet posted a photo of himself in Qatar for the tournament, though he will want to avoid Terry.
The scandal that the duo were involved in engulfed English football. Terry was ultimately sacked as England captain by Fabio Capello amid the fallout.
Bridge did issue a statement, in which he announced his retirement from international football. He said his position had become “untenable and potentially divisive” and his presence in the squad would cause “inevitable distractions”.
By the time the scandal broke Bridge had left Chelsea for Manchester City in the January transfer window of 2009. He infamously came face to face with Terry when City visited Stamford Bridge and he refused to shake the Blues star's hand pre-match.
