Ferdinand steps up as Capello sacks Terry

Rio Ferdinand has stepped up to the job of England captain after Fabio Capello stripped John Terry of the honour yesterday following damaging allegations about his private life.

Terry met with Capello and his assistant Franco Baldini at Wembley yesterday following allegations of an affair with the former girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge – also a former club-mate at Chelsea – and the Italian decided the Chelsea skipper could not go on as England’s leader.