Football Association board member Heather Rabbatts is adamant John Terry's removal as England captain was 'the right decision for the good of the game'.
Terry will stand trial in July, after Euro 2012, over allegations he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during October's Barclays Premier League meeting between the two sides. The issue led to him being stood down as national team captain for the second time in his career, a decision taken at the first FA board meeting since Rabbatts was added to the board.
Terry has not been found guilty of an offence and strenuously denies the charge he faces, and Rabbatts acknowledged in the Daily Telegraph: "The principle of innocent until proven guilty is absolutely paramount. But in other walks of life, if an employee who carries additional reputational responsibilities is subject to charges, they are suspended."
She added: "Given the FA's policies and priorities, and given the reputation that the England captain has to stand by, it was not appropriate for him to be captain. I think the board, and in particular the chairman (David Bernstein), showed leadership. It is a decision the board can stand by.
"You make the right decisions for the right reasons. Ultimately what it comes back to is leadership, and the chairman and this board making the right decisions for the good of the game. We stand by it, and we move forward."
Source: PA
