LONDON: England captain John Terry faced mounting calls to be stripped of the armband on Thursday after the Chelsea star’s trial on racial abuse charges was delayed until July.
Anti-racism campaigners, footballers and media commentators said Terry should be replaced before the Euro 2012 championships or risk creating a “toxic” England dressing room during the tournament.
Terry faces criminal charges of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match last October. Terry, 31, strongly denies the allegations and has vowed to clear his name.
England manager Fabio Capello had previously resisted calls for Terry to be ditched as captain, insisting after consultation with senior Football Association officials that the defender was “innocent until proven guilty.”
However the prospect of Terry’s case dragging on until the summer has led to calls for the FA to take decisive action before the Euros kick off in June.
Damian Collins MP, a member of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, has voiced his opinion on Twitter.
“John Terry should stand aside as captain until the case is resolved, and any doubt either way removed,” he said.
The call was backed by Piara Powar, the executive director of European football’s anti-discrimination body – Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE).
“Innocent until proven guilty,” he Tweeted. “But should John Terry remain as England capt through the Euros? I can’t see how he can.”
The FA have so far declined to comment on the claims. (Agencies)
