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Capello denies saying he had no choice but to resign

Fabio Capello awaits kick-off © Getty Images

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Former England manager Fabio Capello has denied saying he was forced to resign after the Football Association "insulted" him and damaged his authority.

Capello stepped down as manager of the Three Lions after meeting with the FA at Wembley on Wednesday, following a disagreement between the two parties about the decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy while a court case continues to hang over the Chelsea defender's head.

Capello believed the FA board were wrong to take such action - believing the British justice principle of innocent until proven guilty should offer Terry protection - and as a result felt he had no choice but to resign.

"They really insulted me and damaged my authority," Capello was quoted as saying by the Italian press.

"What really hit me and forced me to take this decision was the fact the much-vaunted Anglo-Saxon sense of justice, as they are the first to claim that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

"In Terry's case, they gravely offended me and damaged my authority at the head of the England side, effectively creating a problem for the squad.

"I have never tolerated certain crossing of lines, so it was easy for me to spot it and take my decision to leave."

Capello's time as England manager

• 2007: December 14 - Capello's appointment as England manager is confirmed.
• 2009: September 9 - A 5-1 win over Croatia at Wembley sees England book their spot in the World Cup in South Africa.
• 2010: February 5 - Capello strips John Terry of the England captaincy following allegations he had an affair with former team-mate Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend. Ferdinand is promoted to captain.
• May 11 - The Italian is forced to postpone the 'Capello Index' until after the World Cup after a review by the FA.
• June 12 - June 27 - Having got through the group stage of the World Cup, England are torn apart by Germany as they suffer a humiliating 4-1 defeat in the last 16.
• July 2 - The FA confirm that Capello will remain in charge of the national team.
• 2011: March 19 - Capello announces John Terry has been restored as England captain.
• October 7 - Wayne Rooney is sent off during a 2-2 draw against Montenegro that clinches England's qualification for Euro 2012.
• 2012: February 3 - FA board strip John Terry of England captaincy.
• February 5 - Capello says he disagrees with FA's decision to strip Terry of England captaincy in an interview on Italian television.
• February 8 - Resigns as England manager.

However, Capello subsequently told ANSA: "I did not say anything and will not say anything. All statements attributed to me are false."

Capello had already confirmed he would leave the national team post at the end of his contract, following England's exit from the forthcoming European Championships. He tended his resignation after showdown talks with the Football Association, in a meeting that lasted more than an hour.

He had earlier expressed his disappointment with the FA's decision to remove the armband from Terry in a television interview with an Italian outlet, a public show of disharmony that precipitated his departure.

"I absolutely do not agree with the decision to strip him of the captain's armband. As far as I am concerned, Terry is still the captain," he said at the time. "You cannot be sanctioned until you are judged by the competent authorities.

"I spoke with the chairman and told him I don't think someone can be punished until it becomes official."

Candidates including Harry Redknapp and Guus Hiddink have already been lined up as potential replacements for Capello. The FA will hold a press conference on Thursday to further discuss the Italian's departure.

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