Capello, who has a reputation as a strict disciplinarian, met with Terry at Wembley Stadium to discuss the allegations and the effects they would have on the England squad. Upon leaving the meeting Capello released a statement saying he has taken the captaincy away from centre-half Terry stating, “As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad. What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice”

In the same statement Capello announced that Terry's successor would be Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, who is currently serving a four match ban for violent conduct. When Capello first appointed Terry as captain, he installed Ferdinand as his vice-captain and says the promotion was a natural thing to do.

Thirty-one year old Ferdinand moved to Manchester United from rivals Leeds United in 2002 for a record £29.1m and has since become one of the best central defenders in the world. However, Ferdinand has also been involved in some major controversy after missing a routine drugs test in 2003 that saw him banned from all competitions for eight months, causing him to watch Euro 2004 from the sidelines.

But Ferdinand came back strong from his enforced break and has since earned 76 England caps in his illustrious career and is destined to win many more in the coming years with his club manager Alex Ferguson saying Ferdinand is “the best centre-half in the world by far” last season.

Ferdinand's main concern for South Africa 2010 will not be the pressure of the England captaincy but actually keeping fit. He has been plagued with a back injury for the past 18 months and has only just returned from a three-month stint on the sidelines.

Whether or not Ferdinand is the man to lead England to glory in South Africa remains to be seen but I for one will be 100% behind him as he leads out the rest of the starting eleven in our opening game against the USA on Saturday 12 June.

In the same statement Capello announced that Terry's successor would be Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, who is currently serving a four match ban for violent conduct. When Capello first appointed Terry as captain, he installed Ferdinand as his vice-captain and says the promotion was a natural thing to do.

Thirty-one year old Ferdinand moved to Manchester United from rivals Leeds United in 2002 for a record £29.1m and has since become one of the best central defenders in the world. However, Ferdinand has also been involved in some major controversy after missing a routine drugs test in 2003 that saw him banned from all competitions for eight months, causing him to watch Euro 2004 from the sidelines.

But Ferdinand came back strong from his enforced break and has since earned 76 England caps in his illustrious career and is destined to win many more in the coming years with his club manager Alex Ferguson saying Ferdinand is “the best centre-half in the world by far” last season.

Ferdinand's main concern for South Africa 2010 will not be the pressure of the England captaincy but actually keeping fit. He has been plagued with a back injury for the past 18 months and has only just returned from a three-month stint on the sidelines.

Whether or not Ferdinand is the man to lead England to glory in South Africa remains to be seen but I for one will be 100% behind him as he leads out the rest of the starting eleven in our opening game against the USA on Saturday 12 June.