Rio Ferdinand has ruled himself out of contention to return to the role of England captain and succeed John Terry.
Former skipper still scarred from previous 'episode'
Rio Ferdinand has ruled himself out of contention to return to the role of England captain as successor to John Terry.
Along with Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart and Ashley Cole, the Manchester United centre-back had been listed as a candidate to become the new skipper after Terry was on Friday stripped of the honour.
The Football Association decided to take the armband away from the Chelsea captain amid his court case for allegedly racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.
But Rio Ferdinand, brother of Anton, has no interest in again becoming England and Fabio Capello's on-field leader having previously filled the role two years ago.
The 33-year-old, who is not certain of a place in England's Euro 2012 squad, became captain in 2010 after Terry had been demoted for a first time following allegations about his private life, but the decision was later reversed by Capello.
Prominent
Rio Ferdinand said on
Twitter: "I don't want to be england captain after the last episode,just want to concentrate on playin for utd&if I make the squad then as ever I'll be delighted." (sic)
FA chairman David Bernstein on Friday morning spoke to Terry via telephone and informed him of the governing body's decision
Bernstein had on Thursday contacted the other members of the organisation's 12-strong board to seek their views on Terry's captaincy
Calls had been mounting for Terry to stand down after it was announced he would not go on trial for the alleged racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand until 9th July, after this summer's European Championship, having on Wednesday pleaded not guilty at magistrates' court.
English football's governing body was wary of being accused of pre-judging that case, with Terry innocent until proven guilty, but prominent figures inside the FA were of the opinion that he should not be allowed to lead his country amid such serious allegations.
