John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy due to concerns about his racism court trial.

The Chelsea defender was informed of the decision by Football Association chairman David Bernstein in a phonecall at 10am today.

It comes after Bernstein yesterday contacted all the other members of the 14-strong board to seek their views following the announcement that Terry's court case will not take place until July 9 - after Euro 2012.

The FA have refused to confirm the action but Press Association Sport understands Terry will still be eligible for the England squad for Euro 2012.

Terry denies racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in a match against QPR last year.

A spokesman for the player declined to comment this morning.

It is the second time the Chelsea captain has been stripped of the England armband having also lost it two years ago after allegations surrounding his private life came to light.

A majority of board members believed Terry should not be the England figurehead with such a serious charge hanging over him, especially given the possible scenario of England making a complaint about racist abuse from the crowd when playing matches in Ukraine this summer.

It would have been difficult for the FA to take the moral high ground if England's captain is himself facing a criminal charge for racism.

Terry's barrister on Wednesday entered a formal not guilty plea at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

England manager Fabio Capello had wanted to make the decisions over the captain and had stuck by his belief that Terry should be regarded as innocent until proven guilty but the FA board decided they had to act.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/article6348920.ece

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Well I think most of us saw this coming. Should Gerrard and Ferdinand be the obvious candidates? Or should the FA go for someone who can actually last on the pitch for a 2 games straight? Hate to say it, but we may see Gareth Barry captaining the side this summer

What a joke, way to have a fair trial

Why not choose Joe Hart? Fresh faces FTW.

ANYONE but Rooney.

Maybe they should just do what most countries do, give it to the guy with the most caps.

I think I have never seen a team, NT or club, much such a big deal out of a armband.

Leadership comes from players, with or without an armband.

^ Think thats Cashley, not sure about his leadership material tbh.

I'm with RWO give it to Hart, he's a badass.

give it to white pele, give him a chance to show the world who the goat is


nah, stevie g is fine imo

Couldn't care less, last time they stripped him of the captaincy, Rio came out and said JT still leads them on the field.

He is a born leader, he is still going to be leading England armband or not.

for some reason i dont think rio is going to say anything in terry's favour.

It's sad that they didn't do it because he's bad at the football.

Because he is.

I would'nt give it to Gerrard, iam still not sure his injury troubles are over and he cant have more than 3 or 4 years tops and besides his record as England captain is awful.

I'd give to Hart aswell ( although i think Wilshere is the best candidate long term)

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:I would'nt give it to Gerrard, iam still not sure his injury troubles are over and he cant have more than 3 or 4 years tops and besides his record as England captain is awful.

I'd give to Hart aswell ( although i think Wilshere is the best candidate long term)

Not really sure what only having 3 to 4 years left has on the captaincy for this summer, especially since Terry probably has less left in the tank. This tournament is obviously something of a "last hurrah" for an aging generation of England stars. I can't see Capello straying from his usual list of captaincy candidates.

In the long run, I would agree that it should be Wilshere or Hart. I just don't think it's likely to happen this tournament. Besides, Wilshere's spot is far from guaranteed given his long term injury concerns.

Wilshere's too young to be the captain, plus i wouldn't want him responsible for the shower of shit that is the England NT

Lord Hades wrote:for some reason i dont think rio is going to say anything in terry's favour.

This has nothing to do with Rio saying it again, all I am saying is taking the aemband away does nothing, he will still captain them on the field.

Why is big man such a big scumbag ffs

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:I would'nt give it to Gerrard, iam still not sure his injury troubles are over and he cant have more than 3 or 4 years tops and besides his record as England captain is awful.

I'd give to Hart aswell ( although i think Wilshere is the best candidate long term)

So you need long term planning to appoint someone as a captain as well ?

yeah he has 3-4 yrs left in him but thats still a lot..

Gerrard should be the automatic chioce imo.

VivaStPauli wrote:It's sad that they didn't do it because he's bad at the football.

Because he is.

No one saw this gem of a comment? I almost feel obliged to agree with it. Also, just give anyone the captain's armband, not like it makes any difference. Gone are the days of Terry Butcher, Bryan Robson, Tony Adams, men who players honestly respected.

Personally, I would give it to Hart, start the next generation of England NT with a new captain.

Give it to joe Hart,Keeper captains FTW..

Like Franchise said,never seen a country who is more obsessed with NT captaincy than England.I could understand if it was spain due to their strong internal political conflicts and seperatism crap but England lol?

That's why i was talking about long term whats the point in giving Gerrard the captaincy for Euro's and him flopping ( which he will) and then give it to someone different afterwards......

Gerrard maybe be a fantastic captain for Liverpool but for England he is awful he has lost more games than he has won ffs.....

I have no idea why Gerrard should be first choice when everytime he's been captain for England he's done an awful job.

Also what Doc said, start the new generation with a new captain.

Yeah even i agree that giving someone captain's armband doesnt make that much of a difference..

Also what Doc said, start the new generation with a new captain.

Yeah this makes more sense.I would agree then.

But giving it to joe Hart while all other seniors are still playing is bit impossible no?

Hart is a badass, he would probably be able to handle their overrated diva asses.

Why is it impossible?

There's plenty of examples of young captains leading thier countries with more experienced players in the team.....

is it possible in England? A country obsessed with NT captaincy