Capello sack John Terry as England captain

LONDON (AFP) – John Terry was sacked as England captain by head coach Fabio Capello Friday, just four months before the World Cup, over an alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of international team-mate Wayne Bridge.
After a brief meeting with Terry at Football Association (FA) headquarters at Wembley, Capello said he had decided to strip him of the captaincy in the interests of the squad he will take to the World Cup in South Africa in June and July.
“After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry,” Capello said in a statement.
“As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.
“What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first.”
Capello appeared to indicate that Rio Ferdinand, currently vice-captain of the national team, would take over.
“When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a vice-captain and also named a third choice (Steven Gerrard),” he said. “There is no reason to change this decision.”
Capello had been under intense pressure to strip the Chelsea defender of the captaincy amid media criticism of the married father of two over his alleged infidelity with Vanessa Perroncel, an underwear model who has a son with Bridge but is now estranged from the Manchester City left-back.
The alleged affair only became public after the High Court last week lifted an injunction secured by Terry’s lawyers to prevent reporting of the affair.
Perroncel, 33, had just made an appearance in front of reporters with her publicist to announce she would not be selling her story to the press when she heard of Capello’s decision.
She looked shocked and mouthed: “Oh my God... he’s been dropped” as the news broke.