Today is day one of John Terry’s trial for allegedly racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, something I don’t really want to get into on here but already I have read something that I feel compelled to make mention of so here goes….
Terry has, according to the BBC News website, admitted using a racial slur against Ferdinand. However, Terry says he meant it sarcastically, as in ‘I’d never use a term like that’. Players who were nearby at the time will not be called as witnesses as they didn’t hear anything.
In my opinion if the TV cameras catch Terry saying something but only capture him for a short period of time, meaning the remark cannot be put into context, it will be hard to find him guilty beyond all reasonable doubt and a criminal conviction would be harsh without any further evidence.
However, this is only the police charge levelled against Terry. The FA has the power to charge the former England skipper under its own jurisdiction and to hand out a sporting punishment.
In summary John Terry has admitted using language that isn’t acceptable but says it wasn’t used as a racial slur, and there appear to be no witnesses who can fully put the remark into context. The Football Association has already set a precedent for this and if John Terry doesn’t receive an 8 match ban there will be allegations of hypocrisy coming their way from all angles.
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