Fabio Capello quits as England’s soccer coach

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Fabio Capello quit as England coach on Wednesday in a dispute over captain John Terry, throwing the national team’s preparations for the European Championship into turmoil.

Capello resigned during an hourlong meeting with team executives after four years on the job.

‘We have accepted Fabio’s resignation, agreeing this is the right decision,’ FA Chairman David Bernstein said. ‘We would like to thank Fabio for his work with the England team and wish him every success in the future.’

The resignation comes after Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who has long been considered Capello’s successor, was cleared by a British jury of tax evasion charges.

Bernstein publicly undermined Capello last week when he said he had not consulted Capello before demoting Terry from team captain. Terry is facing a criminal trial for allegedly racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a game in October.

Capello criticized the decision on Italian television, stating it was ‘absolutely’ the wrong move.

Capello won 28 matches, lost six and drew eight with England.

England’s next match is a friendly against the Netherlands on Feb. 29.

We will have more later at latimes.com/sports

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.