Terry stripped of England captaincy

LONDON John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy after the FA took action over the Chelsea defender’s upcoming court case.

Friday, February 03, 2012
Capello told the FA he wanted Terry to keep the armband. Net photo.

LONDONJohn Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy after the FA took action over the Chelsea defender’s upcoming court case.Terry lost the armband for a second time after he was called in front of the FA board to be informed of the decision on Friday morning. Thus far the FA has refused to comment on the situation.FA chairman David Bernstein on Thursday contacted all the other members of the 12-strong board to seek their views after the decision that the defender’s court case will not take place until July 9 - after Euro 2012.The board decided to compromise on relieving Terry of the captaincy but keeping him in the national team. Terry has been accused of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, a charge which he denies.The FA took the decision to act immediately rather than putting off a decision until the next board meeting on February 23.Some significant voices had been raised calling for Terry to stand aside. Damian Collins, a Tory MP who sits on the culture, media and sport committee and who has made a name for himself as a campaigner for FIFA reform, told Press Association Sport before the decision: "He is in a public position as England captain.