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John Terry cleared of racism against Anton Ferdinand | John Terry cleared of racism against Anton Ferdinand |
(40 minutes later) | |
Ex-England captain John Terry has been cleared of racially abusing fellow footballer Anton Ferdinand. | Ex-England captain John Terry has been cleared of racially abusing fellow footballer Anton Ferdinand. |
The Chelsea and England defender had denied making the comments to the Queens Park Rangers player during a match at Loftus Road last October. | The Chelsea and England defender had denied making the comments to the Queens Park Rangers player during a match at Loftus Road last October. |
The 31-year-old told Westminster Magistrates' Court he was merely repeating what he thought Mr Ferdinand had said to him as they traded insults. | The 31-year-old told Westminster Magistrates' Court he was merely repeating what he thought Mr Ferdinand had said to him as they traded insults. |
The FA has said its inquiry into the incident will resume next week. | |
Mr Terry had described himself as "angry and upset" over the claims. | Mr Terry had described himself as "angry and upset" over the claims. |
It was alleged he had insulted Mr Ferdinand in a Premier League match, describing him as "black" and using extreme sexual swear words. | It was alleged he had insulted Mr Ferdinand in a Premier League match, describing him as "black" and using extreme sexual swear words. |
Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle said he had heard a great deal of evidence to show Mr Terry was not a racist. | Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle said he had heard a great deal of evidence to show Mr Terry was not a racist. |
In his written judgement, he said that after weighing the evidence it was "highly unlikely" that Mr Terry abused Mr Ferdinand in the manner he was accused of. | In his written judgement, he said that after weighing the evidence it was "highly unlikely" that Mr Terry abused Mr Ferdinand in the manner he was accused of. |
Mr Riddle went on: "The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong. | Mr Riddle went on: "The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong. |
"It is therefore possible that what he [Mr Terry] said was not intended as an insult, but rather as a challenge to what he believed had been said to him. | "It is therefore possible that what he [Mr 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." | "In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty." |
Mr Terry did not deny using the word "black" and swearing at Mr Ferdinand. | Mr Terry did not deny using the word "black" and swearing at Mr Ferdinand. |
His defence was that he had thought Mr Ferdinand was accusing him of using the words, and was simply repeating them when he was caught on camera. | His defence was that he had thought Mr Ferdinand was accusing him of using the words, and was simply repeating them when he was caught on camera. |
He was backed in court by Chelsea team mate Ashley Cole. | |
Mr Terry, who was widely seen as one of England's best players in this summer's European Championship, jerked his head downwards as the verdict was given. | |
There were cheers in court from his supporters. | |
This trial was not just about what one player said to another - and why - in a fiercely-contested Premier League match back in October. | This trial was not just about what one player said to another - and why - in a fiercely-contested Premier League match back in October. |
It was seen as a landmark case around the national sport's efforts to improve race relations, tolerance and respect, raising serious questions over what is deemed acceptable behaviour on the field of play. | It was seen as a landmark case around the national sport's efforts to improve race relations, tolerance and respect, raising serious questions over what is deemed acceptable behaviour on the field of play. |
Although John Terry was found not guilty of racial abuse, this was still a highly embarrassing week for football. | Although John Terry was found not guilty of racial abuse, this was still a highly embarrassing week for football. |
The trial exposed the unedifying reality of the professional game; a world littered with foul language and crude insults. | The trial exposed the unedifying reality of the professional game; a world littered with foul language and crude insults. |
The FA's Respect campaign, designed to ensure top players are role models for the millions of youngsters who look up to them, has suffered a major blow. | The FA's Respect campaign, designed to ensure top players are role models for the millions of youngsters who look up to them, has suffered a major blow. |
Terry will move on from here - able to resume his career - but football faces a major challenge to recover from one of the most troubling years in the game's history. | Terry will move on from here - able to resume his career - but football faces a major challenge to recover from one of the most troubling years in the game's history. |
He did not comment to the waiting media as he left court but his lawyer, Dan Morrison, said outside: "The court has today acquitted John Terry of all charges. | He did not comment to the waiting media as he left court but his lawyer, Dan Morrison, said outside: "The court has today acquitted John Terry of all charges. |
"He did not racially abuse Anton Ferdinand, and the court has accepted this." | "He did not racially abuse Anton Ferdinand, and the court has accepted this." |
Following the verdict, an FA spokesman said: "The FA notes the decision in the John Terry case and will now seek to conclude its own inquiries." | |
Bruce Buck, chairman of Chelsea Football Club, said: "Chelsea Football Club notes and, of course, we respect the decision of the magistrate today. | Bruce Buck, chairman of Chelsea Football Club, said: "Chelsea Football Club notes and, of course, we respect the decision of the magistrate today. |
"We are pleased John can now put his mind to football, go back to training and do what he has been doing for many years." | "We are pleased John can now put his mind to football, go back to training and do what he has been doing for many years." |
Anton Ferdinand is on the way to Hong Kong with his QPR team mates for a pre-season tour. | Anton Ferdinand is on the way to Hong Kong with his QPR team mates for a pre-season tour. |
Leaving court, his father Julian Ferdinand told waiting reporters: "I have nothing to say to you at all." | Leaving court, his father Julian Ferdinand told waiting reporters: "I have nothing to say to you at all." |
Elaborating on his judgement, Mr Riddle said Mr Ferdinand was brave to give evidence, calling him a "believable witness". | Elaborating on his judgement, Mr Riddle said Mr Ferdinand was brave to give evidence, calling him a "believable witness". |
He explained that it was not for him to decide whether Mr Terry was a racist, and that his only role was to ascertain whether the offence was carried out. | He explained that it was not for him to decide whether Mr Terry was a racist, and that his only role was to ascertain whether the offence was carried out. |
Mr Riddle said that any discrepancies in his account were "understandable and natural". | |
He also said it was understandable that Mr Terry was so keen to argue he does not hold racist beliefs, adding: "His reputation is at stake." | |
Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, defended the decision to bring the case to trial. | Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, defended the decision to bring the case to trial. |
She said: "The very serious allegation at the heart of this case was one of racial abuse. | She said: "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." | "It was our view that this was not banter on the football pitch and that the allegation should be judged by a court." |
Ms Saunders pointed out that the magistrate agreed Mr Terry had a case to answer when his defence moved to have the prosecution thrown out earlier in the week. | |
Of the subsequent acquittal, she added: "That is justice being done and we respect the chief magistrate's decision." | Of the subsequent acquittal, she added: "That is justice being done and we respect the chief magistrate's decision." |
The case led to Mr Terry being stripped of the England captaincy by the Football Association. | The case led to Mr Terry being stripped of the England captaincy by the Football Association. |
England manager Fabio Capello then resigned in protest. | England manager Fabio Capello then resigned in protest. |