FA to let Capello have the final say on Terry selection against the world champions

England coach Fabio Capello will be free to make any decision he likes over John Terry’s participation in the forthcoming friendlies with Spain and Sweden.

Capello met FA chairman David Bernstein, chief executive Alex Horne, director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking and Club England managing director Adrian Bevington in central London on Friday to confirm Terry should be selected in a 25-man squad, announced on Sunday night.

Bevington then accompanied Capello to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Friday lunchtime to tell Terry and Blues chief Andre Villas-Boas of their decision.

However, that is where the FA’s input ends.

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So when Capello sits down to select his side to face the world champions at Wembley on Saturday, and fellow Euro 2012 qualifiers Sweden three days later, he will do so without any outside interference.

“What Fabio chooses to do now is entirely up to him,” said Bevington.

“We genuinely do not have any input into it, in the same way that the squad selection had to be Fabio’s decision. We supported that decision.”

There had been some claims of friction between Capello and his paymasters over whether Terry should play for England whilst he is still under police and FA investigations over allegations, strenuously denied, that he racially abused Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last month.

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Bevington is adamant there was none. “There was never any hint of a disagreement with Fabio and the FA.

“We met for the final time on Friday morning because we wanted to leave it as late as we could in the investigation before he named the squad.

“We were all in agreement that because these are allegations but nothing more as the investigation goes on, John should be in the squad as normal.”

The FA are mindful of the fact nothing should be said that may prejudice the ongoing police inquiry.

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To that end, Bevington refused to discuss whether there had been any discussions between Lord Ouseley, chairman of the prominent and influential Kick it Out campaign, and Bernstein, even though there is a close link between the pair.

“I can’t confirm whether there have been conversations but the chairman of the FA has a very good dialogue with Lord Ouseley,” said Bevington.

“Our position on anti-racism and Kick it Out is very well known. We are firmly committed and take our responsibility very seriously in that respect.

“We are a founding and funding partner of Kick it Out.”

Bevington also revealed that the Football Association have once again written to FIFA asking them to change their minds about letting England wear poppies on the shirts when they take on Spain.

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FIFA have allowed a minute’s silence to be held before the sell-out game.

In addition, the England players will wear poppies on their training kit at Wembley on Friday, and will stand for the traditional two minutes’ silence to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month in an act of remembrance.

However, FIFA will not allow the Three Lions to wear poppies during the game because it contravenes their rules regarding what can be put on shirts.

The FA have made it plain they have no wish to get embroiled in a row over the matter, and realise FIFA have overall responsibility.

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However, chief executive Alex Horne has been in contact with the world governing body asking them to reconsider. “We will see where we get to with that,” said Bevington. “Everyone is aware of our feelings on the importance of wearing the poppy.

“We wrote to FIFA three weeks ago now, setting out our request. We were advised by them that for various technical reasons around what you can wear on the shirt, they were declining our request.

“They have granted us the minute’s silence before the game against Spain. We are wearing poppies at training on Friday and are also having a two minutes’ silence. In addition, we will have the armed forces on the pitch at the start of the game and 500 servicemen and women in the stands, which is our continued standard contribution to the armed services.”

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