Former captain John Terry was included in England's European Championshipr roster on Wednesday despite facing trial immediately after the tournament for racially abusing an opponent.
The Football Association's decision to strip Terry of the England captaincy in February over the alleged racial abuse of Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand led to coach Fabio Capello quitting.
Capello's replacement, Roy Hodgson, has included the Chelsea defender in his 23-man group.
''(The trial) is obviously very unfortunate for him ... but he is innocent until proven guilty,'' Hodgson said. ''I realized when I selected him there would be people who would raise their eyebrows.''
Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, the brother of Terry's alleged victim, remains off the roster. He has not played for the national team since June 2011.
''It is purely a footballing decision,'' Hodgson said. ''I had to decide ... on what I have seen in recent months, and influenced by the fact Rio hasn't played so much (for England) since the World Cup.''
Steven Gerrard, who was Hodgson's captain during his six-month reign at Liverpool, will wear the England captain's armband.
''I shall be counting on him to help me ... build the type of team unity and environment we need to thrive in a tournament,'' Hodgson said.
England's opener is against France on June 11 followed by matches against Sweden and Ukraine.
Forward Wayne Rooney was included despite being suspended for the opening matches against France and Sweden after being ejected from England's last qualifier in October.
Hodgson will have to choose from among Danny Welbeck, Jermain Defoe and Andy Carroll for his front line against France and Sweden.
Hodgson has retained 11 members of the team Capello took to South Africa two years ago for the World Cup, a group that lost to Germany in the second round.
Hodgson gave first international callups to 18-year-old winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who started just six Premier League games for Arsenal, and Norwich's 25-year-old goalkeeper, John Ruddy.
Ruddy has been allowed to miss England's final warmup match, on June 2 against Belgium at Wembley, so he can go ahead with his wedding.
''It would have been a nightmare after one-and-a-half years of planning to have to postpone the wedding, so it's a major relief that we can still go ahead,'' Ruddy said.
England's other warmup match is against Norway in Oslo on May 26.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United)
Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)
