[NBC]

I think that there is another element to this Capello-Terry-race row situation. Well not really an element more of a nuance. Unlike other countries in Europe, racism and the term racist is a white hot issue in the UK - it has been for a number of years. Calling someone or labeling them a racist is a massive statement and one that is not taken lightly on either side.

This can most recently be traced back to the establishment and somewhat popularity of the British National Party (BNP) and to a lesser extent the English Defence League. Groups like this have had a very polarizing effect upon the voting (and football viewing) public. Successive governments have been completely unwilling to engage the electorate or anyone for than matter over the issue of EU and non-Eu immigration, which a plurality of British voters see as a significant problem. This just fuels the debate.

Now you have the captain of the national team who is faced not only with accusations of racial abuse towards a fellow professional, but is facing charges in a criminal court. Like it or not but many in England see the position of national team captain as being something bigger than football. It is representative of the nation-state as a whole and to have the captain be formally charged with racial abuse is not a good thing at all. I don't blame the FA for acting in this manner as it is what Capello should have done when this whole sordid affair broke. If AVB wants to keep Terry as Chelsea club captain then that is his right as he (Terry) isn't responsible for being the 'face' of English football, only that of Chelsea Football Club and that is their right. For England it is a much different matter.

Personally I found it odd that Capello would strip Terry of the armband after it was revealed he was shtupping Wayne Bridge's ex, but would not act when something much more serious came to the fore - granted something that has yet to be confirmed or disconfirmed. This whole affair flies in the face of the FA's "Kick it Out" campaign aimed at removing racism from English football, something that more national authorities should be taking more seriously. Capello's position became untenable with his comments on Italian TV, which surprised me, that he was willing to lose his job over John Terry. Regardless if he thinks it is the manager's sole decision to take, Capello was wrong to let Terry retain the armband. And if he (Terry) is found to be innocent then the FA looks like they were being proactive in removing unwanted attention in the months leading up to the Euros. If he is found to be guilty, then, well, you know.

This was a bad situation made worse by Capello's inability to grasp the nuances of British (English) socio-political dynamics and how it can affect the state of football in England. My sense is that an English manager, living and working in the UK would have understood this a lot better than a transplanted Italian, who as diane said, looked like he didn't really like the job. Regardless of Terry's guilt, he should not have been allowed to continue as England captain after he was implicated in a race-row which I have stated is a white hot issue here in the UK, much more so than in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, etc...

What I find interesting about all of this is the timing. Redknapp cleared - Capello resigns. Most likely coincidence, no?