Terry Dropped As England Captain

John Terry

The English FA has confirmed that John Terry has been dropped as England captain by Fabio Capello after meeting with the Italian at Wembley on Friday.

Terry had found himself increasingly under pressure after revelations that he had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Capello issued the following statement: "After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry. As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.

"What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first. When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a vice-captain and also named a third choice.

There is no reason to change this decision.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank The FA, particularly Lord David Triesman and Ian Watmore for allowing me to make this decision in my own time and in the best interest of the team."

Capello arrived back in England on Thursday having already felt that it would be right to strip Terry of the England captaincy. The England boss, though, wanted to wait to see Terry to make the final assessment, get Terry's side of events and to gauge the situation in a face-to-face meeting.

 Terry was summoned to Capello's office on Friday afternoon after training, and the Italian would have heard that the Chelsea captain was willing to stand down for the good of the team ethic.

Fabio Capello spent 35 minutes with John Terry and told the Chelsea captain that he has to step down as captain, but he remains an integral part of the England team. A source revealed: "It is wrong the reports that suggest the meeting took just 12 minutes, it was half an hour at least.

"Fabio Capello did not make up his mind at this meeting, he has had a week to think about it, and he felt this was the right decision for everyone. John Terry was absolutely determined and focused on playing for England and helping the team to try to win the World Cup. He fully understood the decision after everything that had happened to him, and he accepted it."

Rio Ferdinand will step up from vice-captain to take the armband from John Terry for the next match against Egypt on March 3 and will most likely be on trial for the position in South Africa, with Steven Gerrard taking the vice-captain role.