Sports Minister backs FA over John Terry

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has backed the FA in their handling of John Terry.

The Chelsea skipper was stripped of the England captaincy this week pending his trial for the alleged racist abuse of Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

"It's a difficult situation and emotions are running high, but I think up to now the FA have acted very sensibly, very reasonably and come to the right decision," Robertson told Sky Sports News.

"There were two things they had to tackle at the end of last week. The moral case, which is very, very difficult one, because in this country you are innocent until proved guilty.

"Whatever you think of John Terry the person, what you think about the case that is bound to have had a very poor effect on the team. So it was the only practical and sensible thing the FA could do."

England manager Fabio Capello has publically criticised the FA for making the decision without his input.