John Terry Will Not Lead England Out in June, but Can Rio Do the Job?

"After much thought I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.'' So, here it is. Those tabloids that screamed for his dismissal have finally got what they wanted. Fabio's word is final, and John Terry will not be the one to lead England out in South Africa later this year. What does this actually mean, though?

The way some sections of the media talk about it, you would think that England will henceforth be cursed to crash out the group stage, and John Terry has cemented his place in the depths of hell for his heinous crime.

Let’s make it clear that off the pitch: Neither I, nor any non-Chelsea supporting friends I have, like John Terry as a person. Dogged by allegations ranging from lurid sex sessions in his car to parking in disabled spaces "just because he could afford the fine," I'm sure everyone is familiar with both his and his family's various escapades over the last few years, not at least some other small incident that has been the "talk of the tabs" for the last week.

However, this is a sports Web site, and John Terry is a sportsman first and foremost. Yes, he has responsibility to the young players and fans who look up to him, but can you honestly say that if John Terry were to lift the World Cup this summer (not as captain, of course), that you would begrudge him for what he has done?

It cannot be argued that he is not a great player. His achievements include two Premiership titles, three Premiership runner-up medals, three F.A Cups, two League Cups, a UEFA Champions League runners up medal, and countless individual accolades. Not only is he a world-class defender, he is an inspirational leader on the pitch.

I am sure that Fabio Capello knows what he is doing by stripping him of the most prestigious sporting position in England, but it has got to be a decision that does not weaken John Terry more than it has done. If indeed John Terry is shaken enough and does not have the mental strength to recover in time for South Africa, I fear the whole nation could suffer from both his, and Capello's, stupidity.

Rio Ferdinand, his replacement, is not the most obvious choice, though it does follow Capello’s reasoning, whilst the English called for the passion and ferocity of Wayne Rooney, the Italian sensibility has shone through, and the natural course that vice-captain supersedes captain has meant that order has prevailed. Doubtless, the two will be compared, and Terry’s riotous antics will be shown in a bad light next to the charity work and humble (well, relatively at least) demeanour of Ferdinand.

In the end, perhaps the most important words for England’s World Cup challenge are those of John Terry himself, who stated that he would "continue to give everything for England." That is all I needed to hear from him.