Rio Ferdinand out Terry in of England Euro 2012 squad

Rio Ferdinand Man utd defender was the highest profile casualty on Wednesday Roy Hodgson focused on footballing matters as he explained the selection of John Terry and the omission of Rio Ferdinand in his England squad for this summer’s European Championship.Terry was selected despite the July court case awaiting him regarding allegations that he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, which Terry denies.Ferdinand’s elder brother Rio being left out of the squad will help to avoid any tension that could have stemmed from the pair sharing a dressingroom in Poland and Ukraine.The impending court case also saw Terry stripped of the captaincy by the English Football Association, a decision which saw Fabio Capello resign his post and Hodgson eventually succeed him. Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will captain England this summer.Hodgson said: “If we take the court case first of all, that’s obviously very unfortunate for him but we must emphasise he is an innocent man until such time as he is proven guilty.“My decision with John Terry was based purely on footballing matters, I was given a free hand as to the squad I picked.“I realised that when I selected him there would be people who would raise eyebrows but that’s the decision that I’ve made, that’s the decision I shall live with.”“I admire Rio Ferdinand as a player. I think he’s a fine footballer and I respect him, but I had to pick a squad with defenders I wanted to take to the Euros.”Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy were the two uncapped players to get Hodgson’s vote.“My decision with John Terry was based purely on footballing matters, I was given a free hand as to the squad I picked.“I realised that when I selected him there would be people who would raise eyebrows but that’s the decision that I’ve made, that’s the decision I shall live with.”He continued: “I selected John Terry for footballing reasons and I left out Rio Ferdinand for footballing reasons. I’ve spoken to both of them of course. I had to do that.“In the last couple of days I’ve spoken to both of them and explained to them why I’ve come to the decision.”Terry led Chelsea to FA Cup success and helped them reach the Champions League final as they rebuilt their season under interim manager Roberto Di Matteo.

ENGLAND SQUAD 

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Robert Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich). 
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Joleon Lescott (Man City), John Terry (Chelsea). 
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Man City), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Man City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Man Utd). 
Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham).