LONDON: John Terry has been axed as captain of England but the player will still be available for selection to the national team, the English Football Association confirmed Friday.
In a statement following widespread media reports that Terry had been sacked, the FA said the Chelsea defender was being removed “in the interests of all parties” and that manager Fabio Capello had not been involved in the decision.
“Following the decision to adjourn the court case against John Terry to July, the Football Association confirm he will not captain the England team until the allegations against him are resolved,” a statement said.
“This decision has been taken due to the higher profile nature of the England captaincy, on and off the pitch, and the additional demands and requirements expected of the captain leading into and during a tournament.”
Terry has denied charges that he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a match in October last year.
However the FA statement stressed Terry could still represent England.
“The FA Board can confirm that he has not been excluded from the squad and that Fabio Capello is free to select him for the Holland fixture on 29 February and the European Championship,” the statement said.
The FA said chairman David Bernstein had explained the decision to Terry and Capello, who had reportedly been in favour of keeping the 31-year-old as captain.
“Fabio Capello has not been involved in the FA Board discussions which reached this conclusion, but understands the FA Board has authority to make this decision,” the statement said.
“Fabio Capello will take the decision as to who will be made captain moving forward.
“This decision in no way infers any suggestion of guilt in relation to the charge made against John Terry. The FA will not be making any further comment on this matter.”
Bernstein had canvassed opinion amongst members of the FA board on Thursday, who were understood to favour replacing Terry, who is accused of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.
The decision marked the latest twist to Terry’s chequered England career following the decision to sack him as captain over allegations about his private life in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup.
The FA’s ruling comes after mounting calls this week for Terry to be replaced from politicians, anti-racism campaigners and media pundits who warned of a “toxic” dressing room if he remained as skipper. (Agencies)