LONDON (AP):

John Terry was dumped as England captain yesterday while awaiting trial for racial abuse, but the Chelsea defender will remain eligible to play for the national team at the European Championship.

With the trial delayed this week until after Euro 2012, the English Football Association said executives went over coach Fabio Capello's head and stripped Terry of the captaincy "until the allegations against him are resolved".

Terry is the first top footballer in England to be charged with such a racially aggravated public order offence after prosecutors found there was enough evidence to prove he hurled abuse at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October.

"(The board) collectively decided it is in the interests of all parties that John has the responsibilities of captaincy removed at this time," the FA said.

"This decision has been taken due to the higher profile nature of the England captaincy, on and off the pitch, and the additional demands and requirements expected of the captain leading into and during a tournament.

"The FA board can confirm that he has not been excluded from the squad."

Terry, who denies the criminal charge, did not publicly comment after being sacked by telephone by FA chairman David Bernstein.

In an usual move, Capello was not consulted about the decision to dump Terry, unlike in 2010 when he lost the captaincy ahead of the World Cup over allegations he had an affair with the former girlfriend of England teammate Wayne Bridge.

The FA said Capello "understands that the FA Board has authority to make this decision" but insisted that he is free to select Terry's successor.