Terry participation down to Capello

John Terry
12 April 2012

England coach Fabio Capello will be free to make any decision he likes over John Terry's participation in the forthcoming friendlies with Spain and Sweden.

Capello met with FA chairman David Bernstein, chief executive Alex Horne, director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking and Club England managing director Adrian Bevington on Friday morning to confirm Terry should be selected in a 25-man squad, announced on Sunday night. Bevington then accompanied Capello to Chelsea on Friday lunchtime to tell Terry of their decision.

However, that is where the FA's input ends and Bevington said: "What Fabio chooses to do now is entirely up to him. We genuinely do not have any input into it, in the same way that the squad selection had to be Fabio's decision. We supported that decision."

There had been some claims of friction between Capello and his paymasters over whether Terry should play for England whilst he is still under police and FA investigations over allegations, strenuously denied, that he racially abused Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last month.

Bevington is adamant there was none.

"There was never any hint of a disagreement with Fabio and the FA," said Bevington. "We met for the final time until Friday morning because we wanted to leave it as late as we could in the investigation before he named the squad.

"We were all in agreement that because these are allegations but nothing more as the investigation goes on, John should be in the squad as normal."

The FA are mindful of the fact nothing should be said that may prejudice the ongoing police inquiry.

To that end, Bevington refused to discuss whether there had been any discussions between Lord Ouseley, chairman of the prominent and influential Kick it Out campaign, and Bernstein, even though there is a close link between the pair.

"I can't confirm whether there have been conversations but the chairman of the FA has a very good dialogue with Lord Ouseley," said Bevington. "Our position on anti-racism and Kick it Out is very well known. We are firmly committed and take our responsibility very seriously in that respect."

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