Our next home fixture is a difficult one against Chelsea.
Their captain John Terry won't be playing. His club say he won't be fit.
But Terry has also had his England captaincy "removed" pending a court case in which he is accused of using racial abuse against Anton Ferdinand in a match at Queen's Park Rangers.
THE FA SAID: "Following the decision to adjourn the court case against John Terry to July, The Football Association confirm he will not captain the England team until the allegations against him are resolved.
"The FA Board expected the trial to be concluded prior to the European Championship. 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.
"This decision has been taken due to the higher profile nature of the England captaincy, on and off the pitch, and the additional demands and requirements expected of the captain leading into and during a tournament.
"The FA Board can confirm that he has not been excluded from the squad and that Fabio Capello is free to select him for the Holland fixture on 29 February and the European Championship.
"FA Chairman David Bernstein has spoken to both John Terry and Fabio Capello to explain the facts to them. Fabio Capello has not been involved in The FA Board discussions which reached this conclusion, but understands that The FA Board has authority to make this decision.
"Fabio Capello will take the decision as to who will be made captain moving forward.
"This decision in no way infers any suggestion of guilt in relation to the charge made against John Terry. The FA will be not be making any further comment on this matter."
England manager Fabio Capello has waded in too and said he "absolutely" does not agree with FA chairman David Bernstein's decision.
FABIO SAID: "I thought it was right that Terry should keep the captain's armband.
"I have spoken to the [FA] chairman and I have said that in my opinion one cannot be punished until it is official and the court - a non-sport court, a civil court - had made a decision to decide if John Terry has done what he is accused of."
Then Joey Barton of all people got in on the act as well when he tweeted on the subject.
JOEY SAID (amongst other things): "This John Terry saga, has turned into one of the most hideously managed spectacles I have ever known," Barton tweeted. "Do I think hes a racist? No. I think hes said something really stupid in the heat of battle/argument. This should of been dealt with instantly [Like Suarez or more games] and put to bed. The longer it goes on, the worse it gets.
"Racism needs to be stamped out. We all agree on that. The FA wants to shape up and sharpish. How can they strip him of the captaincy, when hes not been found guilty in the courts of the land? Whats the point of going to court? He should of held his hands up like a f*cking man and took his punishment for what he said. This is now helping nobody.
"The one I feel for is Anton, hes done nowt wrong and has to be the subject of speculation and the possibility of going to court to give evidence. If u f*ck up, take ur punishment like a man.
"Once the issue went out of the FA's control, it was always going to get messy. They should have dealt with it instantly. Now its a farce.."
So did the FA do the right thing in not waiting for due process of law?
Is Terry innocent until proven guilty? Or doesn't that matter in this case?
Is the loveable cockney sparrer likely to join the loveable Uruguayan in the dog house?
What do you think?
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