The news follows weeks of speculation surrounding John Terry's private life

John Terry has been sacked as England captain following a period of intense speculation and scrutiny over his private life.

BBC Sport follows the reaction to coach Fabio Capello's decision to strip the 29-year-old Chelsea defender of the post.

"I fully respect Fabio Capello's decision. I will continue to give everything for England."

"As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.

"What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first."

"This decision must be for the manager and Mr Capello has made that decision. I think people will abide by that decision. I look forward to the England team doing well in South Africa."

"Vanessa would also like to add that she finds it very sad that John Terry has been dropped as England captain."

"It's the only decision Capello could have arrived at. He should have resigned last week. He probably would have avoided most of the stuff we've read this week in the newspapers.

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"Primarily it's a football decision but football is a national sport and you are a representative of the country. I think Capello has looked at it and thought it could only damage England.

It doesn't take away the fact that he's a very good footballer, very competitive and a natural leader. It may be to England's benefit. John Terry will still act as captain because that's the way he plays his football."

"Capello has taken the view that this couldn't go on. My view is that the FA would have backed Capello whatever decision he had taken.

"I am aware that there were some very strong views within the FA and a number of them were certainly in favour of the decision Capello has taken."

"I think it's probably the right decision. It's all about being 'Team England' at the moment. The first thing (Capello) did when he took over from Steve McClaren was get the dressing room harmonised.

"John is vocal anyway. An armband is an armband but he will be still be a captain by his leadership qualities on the pitch. I think in any England team, be it football, rugby or cricket, you should have 11 captains."

"We all know he doesn't muck about with decisions. We've got to stick by Fabio Capello because hopefully he will bring the World Cup back to England.

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"John Terry is by far for me the best skipper in the team but Fabio Capello thinks it's best for the squad. Rio Ferdinand will do a great job. If you're going to win the World Cup you don't just need one skipper, you need at least four or five around the pitch.

"Whatever happens in people's private lives, the England football team is a lot bigger."

"It's not been an easy decision for Fabio to make. He'll be hoping that this will now enable the England team to move on and focus on the World Cup.

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"They have two lads who are in the same squad and you don't want either of the lads to be disadvantaged by what's happened, because they're footballers and that's what they want to do.

"There's been some good examples where you don't necessarily have to love or like your colleague, but when you're on the field, you've got to get on with it. It's got to be what's good for the team."

"His private live had infected his professional life. (After the allegations) it's very difficult to trust him in the same way.

"He's a role model as captain and there was only one way it was going to go, Capello being such a disciplinarian. You always felt he was going to make this decision."

"I don't see how this has sorted it out. I almost see it as a symbolic gesture caused by the media furore. I don't think Capello wanted to sack him. He will still be in that dressing room.

"The media circus has possibly forced Capello to rethink his strategy. Terry won't be wearing the armband, but what has changed?"

"The dressing room is normally there to get the player back on track and a large element of the team will support him because they will want the best out of him."

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