AC Milan hero Seedorf: Capello sacking Chelsea’s Terry always going to happen

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf isn't surprised by England coach Fabio Capello's swift sacking of John Terry as England captain.

Well accustomed to Capello's autocratic style, Seedorf says he is not at all surprised by the coach's decision to strip Chelsea defender Terry of the England captaincy.

He told the Observer: "Capello couldn't do anything other than what he did. You have to send out the right message, I don't think you can get away with those things – like Thierry Henry and his handball, that was a big mistake that they did not punish him.

"Footballers are role models. At the One Young World summit [in London] last week I spoke about the responsibility we have as sportsmen in the public eye. Yes it is a shame that the story came out, but paparazzi and tabloids are just part of society and you as a sports celebrity should be aware of the risk.

"But Terry has been a great captain for Chelsea and England, and I hope he will be an even better captain in the future. Everybody makes mistakes."