FABIO CAPELLO will hold further talks with senior figures at the English Football Association today before determining whether John Terry should be selected in the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden.
Terry is the subject of separate investigations by Hammersmith and Fulham police and the FA into allegations that he racially abused Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea’s defeat at Queens Park Rangers last month.
Capello’s instinct has been to pick his captain for the matches at Wembley on the basis that Terry must be presumed innocent unless proved guilty, though the gravity of the accusations hanging over the 30-year-old has prompted discussions between the England manager and key figures at the FA this week.
Talks involving Capello, the governing body’s chairman, David Bernstein, the general secretary, Alex Horne, and the Club England managing director, Adrian Bevington, will continue today, with Terry having been informed that he is in the provisional squad for the fixtures. The centre-half has indicated to the management set-up that he is in the right frame of mind and eager to play in the games and has said he did not racially abuse Ferdinand during the 1-0 defeat at Loftus Road.
Capello – who has also included Rio Ferdinand, Anton’s elder brother, in his provisional party – had hoped the FA’s inquiry into the incident might have been resolved before he names the squad on Sunday evening, though the Metropolitan police’s decision to launch its own formal investigation following an emailed complaint from a member of the public has effectively dashed those hopes.
It now seems inconceivable that the FA’s disciplinary and governance unit – which has received Anton Ferdinand’s written testimony on the matter – would make a ruling on the case before officers at Hammersmith and Fulham police determine whether charges are to be brought.
Andy Carroll and Steven Gerrard have been selected by Capello while facing police charges for off-field matters. The players were cleared of wrongdoing.
Terry will play for Chelsea at Blackburn Rovers tomorrow having been an unused substitute in the midweek Champions League draw with Genk in Belgium. Asked whether he thought the defender was focused and ready to play, Andre Villas-Boas, the Chelsea manager, said: “Yes, I think so. I believe so. We always believe it to be like that.
“I think John has been involved in all our Premiership games so far. He’s our captain, one of the best defenders in the world and his talent is unquestionable. So, with the talent he has, he’s always up for selection.”
Terry featured in last weekend’s 5-3 home defeat by Arsenal, when Chelsea’s defence was badly exposed by the visitors’ pace.
The manager may instigate some changes for the match at Ewood Park, with Branislav Ivanovic perhaps moved to right-back in place of Jose Bosingwa, though Villas-Boas retains faith in the defenders at his disposal.
“We are not satisfied with the way we are conceding goals, but we are looking to score more goals than our opponents. Our defensive organisation is solid, is competent, and we have complete trust in it.”
Guardian Service
