QPR owner Tony Fernandes said Friday John Terry should remain as England captain unless there is concrete evidence against the Chelsea star of alleged racist abuse.
Terry is under investigation from police and the English FA for allegedly hurling a racist slur at QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a stormy west London derby last month.
The controversy surrounding Terry has prompted some commentators to call for the defender's removal from the England squad until the investigations have concluded. England manager Fabio Capello is to name his squad for upcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden on Sunday.
However Fernandes leapt to Terry's defence in an interview with the BBC.
"I think innocent until proven guilty," Fernandes told BBC Sport. "There's been no hard evidence either way of John's alleged statements.
"If he's the right man for the job then he should be selected as captain."
Fernandes also said he believed Terry was not necessarily a racist even if he is found guilty of abusing Ferdinand.
"Lots of things can be said in the spur of the moment which don't make you really believe what you've said," said Fernandes.
"I don't think you can write someone off as a racist because of one statement."
Source: AFP
