**Former England captain John Terry was found not guilty of racially abusing
fellow player Anton Ferdinand on Friday after a five day case which cast a
spotlight on racism in football and could have had a huge impact on his
career.
**
The 31-year-old Chelsea captain was in Westminster Magistrates'
Court to hear chief magistrate Howard Riddle read his verdict.
The high-profile case, focusing on foul language from both players during a
Premier League game last October, triggered the resignation in February of
England's Italian manager Fabio Capello after the FA decided to strip Terry of
the captain's armband for Euro 2012.
Terry had denied committing a racially aggravated public order offence when
he had an expletive-littered exchange with Ferdinand on the field of play when
Chelsea visited QPR's Loftus Road ground.
Although, in evidence, he admitted using the highly offensive words, he
maintained he was sarcastically repeating what Ferdinand mistakenly thought he
had said.
During cross-examination, Ferdinand agreed he had sworn at players in the
past and been on the receiving end himself.
He said he was angry at Terry seeking a penalty call and there had been some
barging on the pitch.
He had also alluded to an alleged affair between the Chelsea player and the
ex-girlfriend of former England team mate Wayne Bridge.
Terry had been stripped of the England captaincy before the 2010 World Cup
following those allegations.
Allegations of racial abuse cast a shadow over the Premier League last
season, with Liverpool's Luis Suarez banned for eight matches for abusing
Manchester United's Patrice Evra during another Premier League match last
October.
That case was dealt with by the FA rather than going to court.
"The very serious allegation at the heart of this case was one of racial
abuse. It was our view that this was not "banter" on the football pitch and that
the allegation should be judged by a court," said Alison Saunders, Chief Crown
Prosecutor for London.
"The Chief Magistrate agreed that Mr Terry had a case to answer, but having
heard all of the evidence he acquitted Mr Terry of a racially aggravated
offence. That is justice being done and we respect the Chief Magistrate's
decision."
**Former England captain John Terry was found not guilty of racially abusing
fellow player Anton Ferdinand on Friday after a five day case which cast a
spotlight on racism in football and could have had a huge impact on his
career.
**
The 31-year-old Chelsea captain was in Westminster Magistrates'
Court to hear chief magistrate Howard Riddle read his verdict.
The high-profile case, focusing on foul language from both players during a
Premier League game last October, triggered the resignation in February of
England's Italian manager Fabio Capello after the FA decided to strip Terry of
the captain's armband for Euro 2012.
Terry had denied committing a racially aggravated public order offence when
he had an expletive-littered exchange with Ferdinand on the field of play when
Chelsea visited QPR's Loftus Road ground.
Although, in evidence, he admitted using the highly offensive words, he
maintained he was sarcastically repeating what Ferdinand mistakenly thought he
had said.
During cross-examination, Ferdinand agreed he had sworn at players in the
past and been on the receiving end himself.
He said he was angry at Terry seeking a penalty call and there had been some
barging on the pitch.
He had also alluded to an alleged affair between the Chelsea player and the
ex-girlfriend of former England team mate Wayne Bridge.
Terry had been stripped of the England captaincy before the 2010 World Cup
following those allegations.
Allegations of racial abuse cast a shadow over the Premier League last
season, with Liverpool's Luis Suarez banned for eight matches for abusing
Manchester United's Patrice Evra during another Premier League match last
October.
That case was dealt with by the FA rather than going to court.
"The very serious allegation at the heart of this case was one of racial
abuse. It was our view that this was not "banter" on the football pitch and that
the allegation should be judged by a court," said Alison Saunders, Chief Crown
Prosecutor for London.
"The Chief Magistrate agreed that Mr Terry had a case to answer, but having
heard all of the evidence he acquitted Mr Terry of a racially aggravated
offence. That is justice being done and we respect the Chief Magistrate's
decision."