Lord Triesman "relieved" at Terry axe

Former FA Chairman Lord Triesman has said that he is "relieved" the Football Association made the decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy.

The Chelsea centre-back is awaiting trial after an allegation of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, a charge he denies.

"I think the decision was inevitable and I'm very pleased and a bit relieved [FA chairman] David Bernstein has taken that decision," Triesman, 68, told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The only anxiety I have is it's taken rather too long to get to this point."

Triesman also outlined the requirements of the next England captain, whoever that may be, adding: "They have got to be a very fine player, a leader on the field, a leader in the dressing room, and probably make sure the rest of their life doesn't get in the way of those leadership functions."

Rio Ferdinand has already ruled himself out of the running to lead the nation at this summer's European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.