QPR owner Tony Fernandes backs John Terry captaincy

QPR's Anton Ferdinand shares a few words with Terry during Sunday's match at Loftus Road (PA)

QPR owner Tony Fernandes has backed John Terry to retain the England captaincy.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating allegations that Terry racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last month, claims the 30-year-old Chelsea skipper denies.

And Fernandes insists Terry should still be allowed to lead the national team in the meantime.

"I think innocent until proven guilty," Fernandes told BBC Sport.

"There's been no hard evidence either way of John's alleged statements.

"If he's the right man for the job then he should be selected as captain."

Fernandes insists that even if Terry is found to have made the comment, it does not necessarily identify him as a racist.

"Lots of things can be said in the spur of the moment which don't make you really believe what you've said," said Fernandes.

"I don't think you can write someone off as a racist because of one statement."

England coach Fabio Capello will name his squad for the friendlies against Spain and Sweden on Sunday evening.

The Football Association have refused to give any indication over whether Terry will be selected and have remained silent over the selection issue.

Capello has been placed in a difficult position, knowing he must weigh the consequences of picking someone who is at the centre of a police probe into racism allegations against the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

Terry was stripped of the captaincy once before in February 2010 over an alleged affair with the girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.

PA