FABIO Capello has accused John Terry of making “a very big mistake” with his staggering attack on the England World Cup set-up.

Terry went public with his grievances on Sunday and indicated he was willing to raise them at a pre-planned team meeting, even if they upset the Italian.

But in the end, having found he had no support amongst his team-mates and having been politely informed challenging Capello was not a great idea, the 29-year-old backed down.

And Capello told ITV1: “This is the big mistake, this is the very big mistake.” He added: “When you speak you have to speak privately, not with the media.”

But midfielder Frank Lampard insisted his England and Chelsea team-mate spoke out because he wants to “hit things head-on”.

Opinion has been mixed about Terry’s motives, but Lampard said: “I don’t think anyone wants to give too much away about what was said.

“I think it’s been particularly overdone in terms of a ‘crisis meeting’...but I understand what John Terry was saying because he’s passionate like that, as a player as a person.”