John Terry dropped as England captain

John Terry was Friday stripped of the England captaincy following reports of an extra-marital affair with the ex-girlfriend of international team-mate Wayne Bridge.

The move followed a meeting between Terry and England’s head coach, Fabio Capello, at FA headquarters at Wembley.

In a statement, Capello said: “After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

“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.”

Speculation over who will take over the captain’s armband is now rife, with Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and even Frank Lampard being touted as possibles.

Meanwhile, the woman Terry is alleged to have had an affair with, French lingerie model and former wife of Wayne Bridge, Vanessa Perroncel, has said she will not be selling her story to the papers.

As a statement from Ms Perroncel was being read by her publicist Max Clifford, reports began emerging that Terry had lost the captain’s armband. She looked visibly shocked, shaking her head and mouthing: “Oh my God.”

Reacting to the news, Mr Clifford said: “Vanessa would also like to add that she finds it very sad that John Terry has been dropped as England captain.”