AVB: FA have got Terry sacking all wrong

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas today criticised the FA for sacking John Terry as England skipper.

EXCLUSIVE: John Terry considering England retirement after being stripped of captaincy  

Villas-Boas has pledged to support his captain, who has pleaded not guilty to racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

FA chairman David Bernstein stripped Terry of the armband in a telephone call this morning, with Wembley chiefs citing the fact that the defender's trial will now not take place until July, after the European Championships.

But while Terry will miss Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester United because of his knee injury, Villas-Boas backed his man publicly once again.

Villas-Boas said: "It's really the FA's decision. I have nothing to say about it.

"But I don't agree with it. You have to ask the FA and the people responsible for that decision."

Villas-Boas added: "The statement from FA was pretty clear on what was their decision-making. After that you have to ask them the foundations of their decisions.

"From my opinion, I don't agree with it. John will continue to be our captain.

"The date of the trial doesn't compromise my decision making. Obviously it does the FA's. I'm nobody to criticise what the FA has done."

Villas-Boas revealed he had spoken to Terry at Chelsea's Cobham base but said: "You can assume the disappointment the player might feel. You have to ask John, not me. All I can say that don't agree with the decision.

"But I don't think this will affect him mentally, nor his performances.

"We've gone past a January when our efficiency, defensively, has improved a lot. In that sense, John has been magnificent.

"It is always a blow to be without him. He is the captain and leader on and off the pitch and he's a great player. We will miss him of course."

Chelsea will also be without Ramires, John Obi Mikel and the suspended Ashley Cole, while Frank Lampard remains doubtful with his calf injury.

Terry absence could see a debut for £7million Gary Cahill although Jose Bosingwa seems likely to switch to left-back rather than Villas-Boas risking rookie Ryan Bertrand.

The manager added: "We can't be crying about injuries.

"We will be missing players but United will be as well. We have important players out but we have a very big squad to try to win game and approach in positive way and we wiill try to do that.

"It would be good to win but maybe give a false message regarding the future. After we beat City we were seven behind but not did not have the continuity to get closer to leaders. Winning on Sunday can have extra importance only if we have continuity after that."

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