Coach Fabio Capello will decide whether John Terry remains as
national team captain following allegations the married Chelsea
defender had an affair with the partner of England teammate Wayne
Bridge.
The Football Association said Monday that Capello had spoken
with the body's chairman and chief executive and been given free
reign in the matter.
"Fabio is fully up to speed with developments regarding John
Terry," the FA said in a statement. "He spoke with our chairman
Lord (David) Triesman and chief executive Ian Watmore today, who
both backed him to make the best decision for England on
footballing grounds. Fabio is dealing with the matter in his own
way using his extensive experience as a football manager."
Bridge has been backup to Ashley Cole at left back for the
past few seasons, but British media reported over the weekend
Bridge may retire from international soccer because of the
situation.
Bridge released a statement saying his only concern is for
the welfare of the child he had with his ex-partner. Several of his
Manchester City teammates offered support Sunday when they wore
T-shirts under their jerseys bearing the phrase "Team Bridge."
Capello is likely to be questioned on the subject at Sunday's
draw in Warsaw for 2012 European Championship qualifying.
Publicist Max Clifford said the woman at the center of the
furor, Vanessa Perroncel, had been offered 250,000 pounds
($398,400) by a media outlet for exclusive rights to her story.
"It's a story that everyone's talking about and it's a story
that obviously all the papers and the television networks are very,
very keen to get to the bottom of and find out what the truth is,"
Clifford told Sky News.
England is preparing for its World Cup opener against the
United States on June 12.
