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Capello lashes out at FA for axing Terry

Comment: 0 February 6th, 2012 by: admin

FABIO Capello may have incurred the ire of his employers by expressing his disgust over John Terry’s removal as England captain.

The Italian boss of the English national side on Sunday criticised the Football Association for going against his wishes and sacking the veteran defender.

Terry was stripped of the armband by the FA on Friday in the aftermath of his alleged racial abuse against Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand.

Capello is set to mentor the Three Lions four months from now in the Euro 2012 but this early showed his revulsion over the FA’s decision.

He told Italy’s state broadcaster RAI that he does not agree “absolutely’’ to the sacking of Terry before the latter had his day in court.

FA chairman David Bernstein stripped Terry of captaincy due to the complications that could arise if he remains playing the high-profile captaincy role during the event slated June 8 to July 1.

Terry’s fate over the charge won’t be known until after his trial starts on July 9.

Capello added he was annoyed at the FA move despite Bernstein insinuating that the Italian understands the FA Board have the authority to make such decision.

“I spoke with the chairman and I told him that I don’t think someone can be punished until it becomes official,’’ Capello told RAI, adding “the court will decide. It’s going to be civil justice, not sports justice, to decide if John Terry committed that he is accused of. And I thought it fair that he keeps the captain’s armband.”

Terry, who has seen action 72 times for the Three Lions since debuting in 2003, has been removed as captain for the second time, his first when he had an affair with a former girlfriend of England teammate Wayne Bridge in 2010 ahead of the World Cup in South Africa.

But he regained the armband last March after one year of “punishment” which Capello said was enough.

Capello, 65, is coaching England for the last time in the Euro 2012 after which he is due to leave the post he held since 2008. The Three Lions open their campaign in the event against France on June 11.

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