LONDON: England captain John Terry will be included in the squad to face world champions Spain and Sweden despite being under investigation for racism, manager Fabio Capello has confirmed.
Terry is the subject of ongoing inquiries by the Metropolitan Police and the English FA for allegedly hurling a racist epithet at QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's defeat in the west London derby.
Capello, however, has ruled out dropping the defender for the upcoming international friendlies, insisting the England captain remains “innocent until proven guilty.”
Capello, who announces his squad later Sunday, told a briefing for reporters that Terry had been included after meeting senior FA officials last week to discuss the issue.
“He is in the squad, we had a meeting with the FA yesterday. We spoke about John Terry. I think he's innocent until proven guilty,” Capello said.
“For this reason I select him.”
Capello said however he had warned the Chelsea player he may not play in both games, which will see England play Spain at Wembley on Saturday before facing Sweden three days later.
“I spoke with him and said I don't know if he will play because I want to see new players. If there are injuries, if there are suspensions or something.
He was happy,” said Capello, who had also sounded out Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas on his decision.
“I think there is no problem with John Terry in this moment. We need to wait to see what happens with the FA and police investigations. But for me, I can tell you, he's innocent until proven guilty.”
Capello said he had seen no evidence of racial tensions within the England squad before or in English football in general.
“I've never heard or seen a racism problem in English football. The fans never boo (black players). They only boo a player because he left a club and joined another team. Racist problems between the players don't exist,” he said.
If Terry was dropped for either game, it would only be for purely football reasons, Capello added.
“For me it will be really important to know the value of some player when you play against the world champions. I know the value of John Terry but I want to check the value of other players,” he said.
Capello has also headed off a potentially awkward atmosphere in the England camp by informing Rio Ferdinand – Anton Ferdinand's older brother – that he would not be included in the squad.
“I spoke with Rio. I told him - I said 'Rio, I think you need to play games' He said 'Yes, I need more games'.
“I hope he will be fit and in good form for the Euros and he understood everything. He's not in the squad because he's not in a good moment of form,” Capello said.
Capello meanwhile confirmed Wayne Rooney would not be included in his squad following his sending off in England's final Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro last month.
Rooney was subsequently hit with a three-match by UEFA which means he will miss all three of England's group games unless the FA's appeal against the severity of the ban is successful.
Capello acknowledged a suggestion that facing Spain without Rooney might be regarded as a “risk.”
“But it will be really important to understand the value of the other players,” he said.
“When you play against the top teams you understand exactly the value of the player. Against the best team in the world, the world champions, and playing at Wembley. The pressure will be big for the players.”