• England news

Terry stripped of England captaincy

John Terry is accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, something the Chelsea man denies © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Anton Ferdinand shocked by extreme abuse
  
• News: UFC star Pearson offers to fight John Terry
  
• News: FA won't sack Capello over Terry comments
  
• News: Hart plays down England captaincy chances
  
• News: Capello 'completely disagrees' with FA over Terry
  
• News: Triesman backs FA over Terry
  
• News: Rio 'couldn't care less' if Terry played against United
  
• News: Terry considering England future
  
• News: Gerrard to head England captains' club
  
• News: Hughes fumes at Terry trial date
  
• News: Terry to miss United clash, will keep Chelsea armband
  
• News: Calls for 'toxic' Terry to be axed from England
  
• News: Terry denies race charge, court date in July
  
• News: Capello grilled on Terry saga
  
• Profile: John Terry

John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy, but the Football Association has confirmed the Chelsea defender will be available for selection for Euro 2012.

Terry is accused of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand but will not stand trial until July, after this summer's European Championship.

With such a serious charge hanging over him, FA chairman David Bernstein contacted the other members of the board with the consensus being that it was not appropriate for Terry to retain the captain's armband.

"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," read a statement.

"The FA board expected the trial to be concluded prior to the European Championship. Further to Wednesday's confirmation that the trial will not take place until after the tournament, the board has discussed the matter in detail and has collectively decided it is in the interests of all parties that John has the responsibilities of captaincy removed at this time.

"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."

While the FA took action to remove Terry as captain, the statement confirmed that the defender would be available for selection to England manager Fabio Capello.

The statement continued: "The 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 February 29 and the European Championship.

"FA chairman David Bernstein has spoken to both John Terry and Fabio Capello to explain the facts to them. Fabio Capello has not been involved in board discussions which reached this conclusion, but understands that the board has authority to make this decision.

"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 be not be making any further comment on this matter."

England manager Fabio Capello's public stance has previously been that Terry is innocent until proven guilty, but the Italian will now need to look elsewhere for a skipper to lead his side in Poland and Ukraine.

Terry was stripped of the captaincy two years ago after allegations of an affair with team-mate Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend, but was reinstated 13 months later.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.