Just a day after the date was set for John Terry to go on trial for alleged racial abuse there are calls for him to step down as England captain ahead of Euro 2012.
The Chelsea star has pleaded not guilty to abusing QPR player Anton Ferdinand during a league match last October.
His trial has been scheduled to start on July 9, after a written plea from Chelsea's chief executive said it would be difficult for it to be held during the domestic and international season.
But now it is being suggested that Terry should not be allowed to lead the country until after the case is over.
The Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine starts on June 8, with the final on July 1.
MP Damian Collins, who is on the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Select Committee, has tweeted: "John Terry should stand aside as captain until the case is resolved, and any doubt either way removed."
Footballer Jason Roberts also took to the micro-blogging site saying: "Innocent until proven guilty...in many workplaces an allegation of certain behaviour is an immediate suspension!! #justsaying."
And in a further tweet he wrote: "Also more importantly, believe me...the Dressing room at the Euros will be TOXIC unless the correct decision is made..!!!"
At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday chief magistrate Howard Riddle said he would normally expect the trial to begin in four to six weeks' time but he accepted this would be difficult.
Prosecutors ruled before Christmas 31-year-old Terry should be charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence.
It followed a review of video footage which appears to show him shouting an offensive comment at Queens Park Rangers defender Ferdinand.
The alleged incident happened during a Barclays Premier League match at QPR's Loftus Road stadium on October 23 last year.
When the Crown Prosecution Service announced the charge, Terry said he was "disappointed" and would fight "tooth and nail" to prove his innocence.
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