Revised Betting On Next England Captain

Tagged under: Euro 2012

Bookmakers are unanimous in making Steven Gerrard favourite to be England captain for the opening game in Euro 2012 following today's FA statement that John Terry has been stripped of the captaincy.

The decision which was widely expected was explained to the Chelsea defender and England manager Fabio Capello by FA chairman David Bernstein in phone calls on Friday morning.

Rio Ferdinand who took over from Terry as England captain two years ago when Terry was previously stripped of the captaincy has ruled himself out of contention this time via his favourite medium ,Twitter.

The FA released an official statement this morning which 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."

Bookmakers have been offering odds on who would captain England in the opening Euro2012 qualifier for months but today's announcements have shaken up the betting and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is odds on to get the job.

Gerrard has captained England before and is available at odds of  4/5 with online bookmaker Skybet.

Gerrard has played only a handful of internationals in the last couple of years however as he has been dogged by injury and few outfield players are certainties for selection. Consequently the bookmakers odds vary significantly on other potential England captains as William Hill offer Scott Parker at 8/1 whilst Frank Lampard can be backed at 9/1 with Skybet. 

Jack Wilshire has been put forward as a possible outsider and the Gunners midfielder can be backed at 40/1 with leading Irish bookmaker Paddy Power.

The decision to strip Terry of the captaincy has led to speculation as to whether Terry may resign from international football or whether he will still be selected to play. William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said today "The decision to strip Terry of the captaincy potentially raises a number of issues, including the questions of whether Terry will still be selected to play and whether Capello is happy with the decision, possibly taken regardless of his opinion’.

Hills offer 8/1 that Fabio Capello will resign as England manager before the Euro 2012 final's begin.

William Hill offer all new online accounts a £25 Free Bet.  

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