England’s Football Association “broke a rule” by stripping John Terry of the England captain’s armband if they did not consult coach Fabio Capello, Brazilian star Roberto Carlos said Friday.
Capello resigned Wednesday after he was quoted in the Italian press criticizing the FA’s decision, although he later said that the quotes had been fabricated.
"The captaincy issue has always been an important one in Capello's teams. For him, the captain is a key figure on the pitch and in the dressing room. Those of us who have worked with him know that," Roberto Carlos told goal.com.
"If Terry has had the armband taken away from him without Capello being consulted, they have broken one of the rules. He is the one who is boss with the players and in the dressing room.”
Roberto Carlos played under Capello at Real Madrid between 2006 and 2007, and now plays for Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala.
He said that the instability could hurt England’s performance at the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine in June.
“England still have time to find a coach ahead of the Euros but it won't be easy to mold a new team, new styles and systems in just a few months. That could have a negative effect on England in the tournament.
"For me it is a great surprise. I hadn't expected Fabio to leave the job before the Euros because he is a coach who always fulfils his contract," he said.
Roberto Carlos signed for Anzhi a year ago, and has said he plans retire at the end of 2012. He has scored four goals in 25 appearances in all competitions at Anzhi, where he reportedly earns four million euros per year.
