Calls for Terry to give up armband

There have been calls for John Terry to stand aside as England skipper until the conclusion of his court case later this year.

Terry denies racially abusing Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road in October.

As England coach Fabio Capello has previously stated his intention to continue selecting his captain until the conclusion of the case, confirmation that Terry’s five-day hearing will not take place until July 9 seems certain to rubber-stamp the Chelsea captain’s place at this summer’s Euro 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine.

However, there are some who feel that Terry should not be selected due to the extreme sensitivities of the allegation that has been levelled against him, and the fact the player he is accused of abusing is the brother of Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, who still has a chance of being selected himself.

Damian Collins MP, a member of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, has voiced his opinion on Twitter.

“John Terry should stand aside as captain until the case is resolved, and any doubt either way removed,” he said.

The call was endorsed by Piara Powar, the executive director of European football’s anti-discrimination body – Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE).

“Innocent until proven guilty,” he Tweeted.

“But should John Terry remain as England captain through the Euro Championship? I can’t see how he can.”

Reading striker Jason Roberts Tweeted: “Believe me...the dressing room will be TOXIC unless the correct decision is made..!!!

“Innocent until proven guilty... I have also noted that Woodgate and Bowyer were suspended from England Duty pending their Assault Charges???”

The FA have not made any comment on the matter and Capello is unlikely to make any public statement until the days before England’s friendly with Holland at Wembley on February 29.