BY JOSHUA LANDER

 

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Chelsea Footballer John Terry is England captain no more. The Football Association relieved the polarizing central defender of his position on the national team as of Friday morning.

The change comes as Terry awaits a July court date to settle charges he made racial slurs against QPR’s Anton Ferdinand last October.

So why act now? Sky Sports Chief Football Reporter Nick Collins says the long interval between Terry’s alleged actions and the actual trial hastened the FA’s decision to demote Terry.
 

"I think it’s clear that the FA were very uncomfortable once it became clear that the John Terry racist trial would not take place until after the Euros. I think that’s why the FA have acted so quickly."

Richard Lewis of the Sabotage Times isn’t satisfied with Terry’s demotion from the national team alone. He wants Terry off the squad altogether.

"The simple truth is that with all the distraction that the trial will cause, along with internal disruption within the squad, leaving Terry out of the squad is the best course of action for all parties..."

The Guardian’s sport’s blogger Daniel Taylor agrees whole-heartedly with the FA saying,

"In the end, the threat of embarrassment – real, searing embarrassment – meant more than hurting the feelings of one man. The risk was too great for the Football Association and that is why it has made the correct decision."

While the captain-to-be for England remains unknown, Mirror Football advises manager Fabio Capello that Steven Gerrard is the obvious choice.

"In truth, it’s criminal that he’s not had the armband many more times in his career, because of all the captains in the Premier League, non[e] have surpassed him for leadership and impact on a team."

Terry’s first match for the national team without the arm band will be this month when England takes on World Cup finalists Holland.