(FILES) In a file picture taken on June 4, 2011 England captain John Terry wipes his face with his jersey at the end of their UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying football match England vs Switzerland at Wembley football Stadium in London. John Terry was stripped of the England captaincy for the second time on February 3, 2012 amid concerns over his ongoing racism court case, reports said. AFP PHOTO/ CARL DE SOUZA



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(FILES) In a file picture taken on June 4, 2011 England captain John Terry wipes his face with his jersey at the end of their UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying football match England vs Switzerland at WembleyShow more

Villas-Boas unhappy with call on John Terry's captaincy



Andre Villas-Boas, the Chelsea manager, said yesterday that John Terry would remain captain of the club, adding that he did not agree with the English Football Association's decision to take the England captaincy from him.

The FA announced yesterday that Terry has been stripped of the captaincy until after his racism court trial, which will take place in July.

Villas-Boas said: "It's really an FA decision. I have nothing to say about it. I don't agree with it. The statement from the FA was pretty clear on what was their decision-making. John will continue to be our captain. It doesn't compromise on my decision-making. It obviously compromises on the FA's decision-making."

Villas-Boas also confirmed that Terry would miss tomorrow's clash with Manchester United with a knee problem and "probably" the Everton match next Saturday.

Terry has been accused of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand, a charge which Terry denies, during a match at Loftus Road in October.

A spokesman for the player declined to comment yesterday.

It is the second time the Chelsea captain has been stripped of the England armband, having also lost it two years ago after allegations surrounding his private life came to light.

Fabio Capello, the England manager, did not take part in the discussions on the captaincy but will choose Terry's successor.

Rio Ferdinand, brother of Anton, has ruled himself out of the running. The Manchester United defender did take over when Terry lost the captaincy two years ago, but Ferdinand does not want the armband again.

Ferdinand said on Twitter: "I don't want to be England captain after the last episode, just want to concentrate on playin for utd & if I make the squad then as ever I'll be delighted."

Ferdinand was angered at his treatment by Capello when the captaincy was restored to Terry a year ago without the Manchester United defender being informed.

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes, the QPR manager, is unhappy with the decision not to hold Terry's trial until July. Hughes is disappointed that the matter will not be settled for almost six months, and also claims it will disrupt his club's pre-season preparations.

"They've made a decision that impacts on one of my players. They've given a date which is slap bang in the middle of pre-season," Hughes said. "If John goes to the Euros it probably impacts on his holidays. But it's not in Anton's down time."


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