John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy for the second time in his career.
Terry was called at just before 10am this morning by Football Association chairman David Bernstein to announce the decision of the FA board.
And it places the FA on a collision course with manager Fabio Capello, who had told the FA he still wanted Terry to be his captain at the European Championships in the summer.
Stripped: John Terry has lost the England armband for a second time
Capello reiterated that fact to Terry as recently as Thursday night, after news began leaking from the FA that he was facing the sack as England captain.
Terry will now take time to consider whether he wants to represent his country at all in the summer, but he will not be rushed into a decision.
Capello will have to appoint a new skipper but Rio Ferdinand, who succeeded Terry the last time he had the armband taken away, is not prepared to step in this time around.
He used his Twitter account to say: 'I don't want to be England captain after the last episode, just want to concentrate on playing for United and if I make the squad then as ever I'll be delighted.'
Terry is due to stand trial on July 9, accused of racially abusing Rio's brother, Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.
And since a court date was set for after the European Championships, he has faced repeated calls to be stood down as England captain.
Collision course: Capello told the FA he wanted Terry to keep the armband
Capello and Bernstein had both assured Terry that nothing had changed in recent weeks, but the position of the FA board altered when it became plain Terry would play in the European Championships with such a serious offence hanging over him.
Terry will not play for Chelsea against Manchester United on Sunday, having suffered a knee injury, but is expected to meet Capello who will be at the game, having returned from a brief break in Italy.
This is the second time Terry has lost the England captaincy in controversial circumstances, but this time Capello was not part of the decision.
Bernstein told Terry the England manager had not yet been informed of the board’s decision.
Charge: Terry is embroiled in a race row after alleged comments he made to Ferdinand
An FA statement read: 'Following the decision to adjourn the court case against John Terry to July, the Football Association confirm he will not captain the England team until the allegations against him are resolved.
'The FA Board expected the trial to be concluded prior to the European Championship.
'Further to Wednesday’s confirmation that the trial will not take place until after the tournament, the board has discussed the matter in detail and has collectively decided it is in the interests of all parties that John has the responsibilities of captaincy removed at this time.
Second time: Terry was originally axed as England captain in 2010
'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 and that Fabio Capello is free to select him for the Holland fixture on February 29 and the European Championship.
'FA Chairman David Bernstein has spoken to both John Terry and Fabio Capello to explain the facts to them.
'Fabio Capello has not been involved in the FA board discussions which reached this conclusion, but understands that the FA Board has authority to make this decision.
'Fabio Capello will take the decision as to who will be made captain moving forward.
'This decision in no way infers any suggestion of guilt in relation to the charge made against John Terry. The FA will be not be making any further comment on this matter.'
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