Pearce is his own man - Bevington

Stuart Pearce

Published: 7:56am, 10th February 2012
Updated: 4:21pm, 10th February 2012

Club England managing director Adrian Bevington insists interim England boss Stuart Pearce should not be judged on his brother's political beliefs.

Pearce's appointment for the Holland friendly on February 29 arose due to the row that erupted following John Terry being stripped of the captain's armband until he clears his name of racism allegations. Pearce's brother Dennis stood as a candidate for the right-wing British National Party in the 2009 European elections and that might be a matter for discomfort.

However, Bevington said: "There have been a few occasions where Stuart has been asked this specific question and, as an individual, he has made it clear that he is not involved in his brother's political beliefs, in the same way as I'm sure that everybody who has siblings does not always share their political stance."

He added: "It is a matter for Stuart Pearce's brother rather than Stuart, we would suggest.

"I don't think we can get into the realms of being judgmental on someone because of what their brother or any sibling's views may be."

However, there is also another difficulty involving Pearce.

The former England star was accused of making a racist remark about Paul Ince in 1994, which PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor subsequently claimed Pearce regretted.

That matter was put to FA chairman David Bernstein at Wembley on Thursday, only for it to be made clear it was not up for debate.

"We're not going to go back over extensive grounds today in that respect," said Bernstein.

"I certainly can't talk about that comment."