England sack John Terry again

The defender, who has been ruled out of the Blues' match against Manchester United on Sunday, received a call from Football Association chairman David Bernstein at 10am telling him he would no longer lead the team.

The FA decided to act - without consulting England coach Fabio Capello - after his trial over alleged racist comments made to defender Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's Premier League game at Queens Park Rangers last October was scheduled for eight days after the Euro 2012 Final on July 9.

Bernstein contacted FA board members yesterday to canvass their views and the feedback was that they wanted the Chelsea defender to stand down.

But the decision to axe Terry as England captain was not the right one according to Villas-Boas.

The Chelsea boss said: "It was the FA's decision. I don't agree with it. John will continue as Chelsea captain.

"It [the trial] doesn't compromise on my decision making. It obviously compromises on the FA's decision making.

"I have spoken to him today. He was disappointed, nothing else. You can all speculate about the disappointment he may feel but it won't affect his performances for Chelsea.

Asked about the FA's sudden change of heart since the trial date was set, he added: "We have to question their process thinking over that one."

The FA explained their decision in a statement at lunchtime and confirmed that the choice was made by the board alone and coach Capello wasn't consulted on it.

The FA statement said: "The FA board expected the trial to be concluded prior to the European Championships.

"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."

The 31-year-old could still face a fight for his England place but Standard Sport understands that Terry is determined to represent his country despite being stripped of the captaincy for the second time in his career.

It is claimed that some black players in the England dressing room have been putting pressure on the Professional Footballers' Association to make a stronger stand over Terry.

The Chelsea defender maintains his innocence over the charges and his lawyers entered a 'not guilty' plea on his behalf at the initial hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Capello will now have to consider who his replacement will be. Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is the favourite but Rio Ferdinand, who stepped in the last time Terry was axed before he suffered an injury on the eve of the World Cup, has already ruled himself out of the running.

He wrote on his twitter account: "I don't want to be England captain after the last episode, just want to concentrate on playing for Utd & if I make the squad, I'll be delighted."

A spokesman for New Era Sports Management called the FA this morning, before Bernstein rang Terry, to communicate that Ferdinand did not want to be considered for the captaincy. The Manchester United defender made this decision two weeks ago.
Terry will miss Chelsea's game against United - and a potentially awkward meeting with Ferdinand - on Sunday because of a knee injury and is also set to miss his club's next game at Everton.