Capello opposes Terry losing captaincy

ROME (AP)

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England coach Fabio Capello expressed strong disapproval on Sunday of John Terry being removed as captain because he is facing a racism trial.

Terry was stripped of the armband by the English Football Association on Friday, two days after his trial for racially abusing an opponent was scheduled until after the European Championship.

English football's governing body had said that Capello ''understands that the FA Board has authority to make this decision'' but now the Italian has revealed his annoyance at the move.

Capello told Italy's state broadcaster RAI that he ''absolutely'' doesn't agree that Terry should have been dumped, although the defender can continue to play for England.

''I spoke with the chairman (David Bernstein) and I told him that I don't think someone can be punished until it becomes official,'' Capello said. ''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. And I thought it fair that John Terry keeps the captain's armband.''

It is the second time Terry has lost the captaincy of England.

Capello was part of the decision-making process when Terry was dumped ahead of the 2010 World Cup following allegations he had an affair with a former girlfriend of England teammate Wayne Bridge.

Terry, who has played 72 times for England since his debut in 2003, was reinstated last March after Capello said ''one year's punishment is enough.''

But six months later, Terry allegedly shouted racial abuse at Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's 1-0 loss at Queens Park Rangers.