John Terry's role as England captain debated by FA bosses

Terry (left) will stand trial for alleged racist abuse

Football Association bosses are discussing whether John Terry should be allowed to remain England captain.

FA chairman David Bernstein has spoken with the governing body's other 11 board members for their views.

The BBC understands Chelsea's Terry will not resign despite facing trial over racial abuse allegations after an incident with QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

A source close to Terry said: "He won't stand down. He's sure of his innocence and feels it would be wrong to do so."

The Chelsea player is due to stand trial on 9 July after he was accused following the Blues' Premier League match at Loftus Road in October.

Terry, 31, denied the racially aggravated public order offence through his solicitor at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Reading's Jason Roberts said Terry, who has been the long-term England defensive partner of Anton's brother Rio, who is also Terry's predecessor as national captain, should not play at Euro 2012.

Roberts, who is also a pundit for BBC Radio 5 live, has warned Terry's presence at the tournament would have a "toxic" effect on the dressing room.

The tournament runs between 8 June and 1 July, before the start of Terry's trial.

Roberts, in a series of tweets, said: "I have seen the Ferdinand case has been put back. On this basis I do not believe that the England captain should go to the Euros.

"Also more importantly, believe me... the dressing room at the Euros will be toxic unless the correct decision is made."

Former England manager Graham Taylor believes that current boss Fabio Capello and the FA must make a decision, rather than the player.

He told BBC Radio 5 live: "It's down to the FA and his manager, who reinstated him as captain after taking it away from him, it's down to them.

"I understand people saying that John Terry should not go to the Euros, and should resign from the captaincy, but if that boy really feels he is innocent of that charge then why should he do that?

"If John feels he is innocent then I think he will feel that he should not step away from his captaincy."

And Labour MP Clive Efford, the shadow sports minister, agrees with Taylor.

"He [Capello] has the responsibility of making sure we get the best out of those players [at Euro 2012] and if the presence of John Terry with this hanging over him is going to undermine that performance then he's the one that should take some action," said Efford.

"The strong stance that the FA have taken across all these matters that have come up about racism on the football field has been exemplary.

"And if they decide that he [Terry] shouldn't lead the country I would support them in that."

Conservative MP Damian Collins, who is on the culture, media and sport select committee also added his opinion, saying on Twitter: "John Terry should stand aside as captain until the case is resolved, and any doubt either way removed."

Piara Powar, executive director of European football's anti-discrimination body Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare), agreed Terry should not captain the England team at Euro 2012, which starts on 8 June and takes place in Poland and Ukraine.

"Innocent until proven guilty," tweeted Powar. "But should John Terry remain as England captain through the Euros? I can't see how he can.

"The seriousness of the allegations mean he can't lead the nation. So the FA [Football Association] must do the right thing."