By Andrew Warshaw
July 13 – Former England captain John Terry was cleared of racial abuse today as one of the highest profile court cases involving a globally recognised sportsman reached its conclusion after five days of evidence.
The England defender and Chelsea skipper, who was stripped of the national team captaincy as a result of the allegations, had always denied racially abusing Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand during a match last October.
It was alleged he had insulted Ferdinand by describing him as “black” and using some unprintable expletives.
Terry (pictured above), 31, never denied swearing but insisted he and Ferdinand had merely traded insults and that there was nothing intentionally racist.
In a written judgement, chief magistrate Howard Riddle said that after weighing up the evidence it was “highly unlikely” that Terry had abused Ferdinand in the manner he was accused of.
“The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong,” he said.
“It is therefore possible that what he [Terry] said was not intended as an insult, but rather as a challenge to what he believed had been said to him.
“In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty.”
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck (pictured above) read out a brief statement saying the club was pleased Terry “could now put his mind to football and go back to training”.
Dan Morrison, Terry’s lawyer, said outside the court in London: “The court has today acquitted John Terry of all charges.
“He has consistently explained his position to the FA [English Football Association], the police and to the court.
“He did not racially abuse Mr Ferdinand and the court has accepted this.
“John would like to thank his legal team for their hard work and his family, friends and Chelsea Football Club for their support.”
Terry, who looked clearly relieved and was reported to be close to tears when the verdict was read out, said nothing as he emerged from the court to be driven off.
But although he was found not guilty of racial abuse, the trial exposed the unsavoury reality of professional football – a world littered with disgusting insults.
Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, defended the decision to bring the case to trial and using taxpayers’ money.
“The very serious allegation at the heart of this case was one of racial abuse,” she said.
“It was our view that this was not banter on the football pitch and that the allegation should be judged by a court.”
Of the subsequent acquittal, she added: “That is justice being done and we respect the chief magistrate’s decision.”
However, Lord Ouseley (pictured above), chairman of Kick It Out and Britain’s leading anti-racism campaigner, did not mince his words.
“This is a sad day for football, its character has been besmirched” he said as he hinted that Terry may not be totally in the clear, with the English Football Association needing to carry out its own investigation.
“I don’t think it should be put off by the decision today,” he said.
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