Fabio stands by his man

England boss stands by his captain despite FA decision over captaincy

Fabio Capello has risked the wrath of his employers the Football Association after expressing his disapproval at their decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy.

In candid interview with Italian state broadcaster Rai 1 Capello has openly backed the Chelsea man, who on Friday learnt he will not captain his country at the European Championship.

“I completely disagree with the FA about the John Terry decision and I have told that to the chairman,” said Capello.

“The court will decide. It’s going to be civil justice, not sports justice, to decide if John Terry committed that crime that he is accused of.

“I considered and still consider Terry as the England captain. I think we first should wait for the trial conclusion.”

Terry is awaiting trial after being accused of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a Premier League game which took place in October. The case will be heard on July 9, just days after the end of Euro 2012.

FA chairman David Bernstein contacted the other members of the organisation’s 12-strong board on Thursday to seek their views on Terry’s captaincy, before informing both the player and Capello of their decision.

“Following the decision to adjourn the court case against John Terry to July, The Football Associationconfirm he will not captain the England team until the allegations against him are resolved,” read a statement released on the FA’s official website on Friday.

“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.

“The FA 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 29 February and the European Championship.

“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.”