Bates blasts prosecutors for 'eight months of agony'

Chelsea defender John Terry was tonight clear to resume his international career after being found not guilty of attacking a nightclub bouncer.

But while welcoming the verdicts that cleared Terry and team-mate Jody Morris, Chelsea chairman Ken Bates criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for causing both players “eight months of agony”.

Former England Under-21 captain Terry left the dock in tears after being cleared of three serious charges arising out of an nightclub incident last January.

Those verdicts brought to an end to his suspension from international duty by the Football Association, which had ruled the promising centre-back out of the Under-21 European Championships and the World Cup this summer.

Although Terry, who has not yet been capped at senior level, is currently short of fitness after a summer knee operation, he is due back in training shortly.

He will then come under consideration by Sven-Goran Eriksson, just like Lee Bowyer, who was similarly cleared earlier this year, and Jonathan Woodgate, who is available for selection after a ban following his affray conviction.

The Football Association made no official comment tonight, although it was clear that when the ban on selection was imposed it would end with a not guilty verdict.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have already fined Terry and Morris two weeks’ wages for breaking club rules in being out late on the town less than 48 hours before an FA Cup third round tie at Norwich.

But the club consistently backed the players throughout the legal proceedings and Bates was tonight outspoken in his criticism of the CPS, who made the decision to bring the case against them.

“We are delighted with the outcome of the trial. Chelsea always believed in the innocence of the two players,” declared the club chairman.

“We just think it was unfortunate that the CPS took eight months to bring a relatively straightforward matter to court, if indeed it should have ever been brought to court at all.

“Irrespective of the fact that they’ve been found not guilty, John Terry and Jody Morris have both suffered eight months of agony.

“In John’s case, his international career has been damaged and he will never get those eight months of his life back. That is a sad commentary on our criminal justice system.

“As far as we are concerned, the matter is now over. The two players will be training on Friday, rejoining the squad and will be available for selection as and when the manager decides.”

Bates was speaking as he unveiled an innovative twinning arrangement with Welsh club Total Network Solutions which could see Chelsea Academy players going to the League of Wales on loan.

Morris, a former England Under-21 international, is nearer to fitness than Terry and even managed to take part in a reserve game during the trial.

However, tomorrow night’s Premiership match against Manchester United will come too soon for him to return to first-team action.

Terry made no comment as he left court but revealed last season how much the international ban had hurt him, admitting: “It’s killed me, to be honest.

“You never know, with all the injuries to the full squad, I might have been called up for one of the friendlies.

“But that’s not what has killed me the most. It’s not being allowed to go to the Under-21 Championships. I played all the games in the build-up. That’s really, really hurt.”

Terry was nevertheless thankful to Chelsea for their consistent support, revealing that he had concentrated on his football in order to get him through the turmoil away from the pitch.

“The club have shown great faith in coming out and speaking publicly about the support they’ve given me. That’s nice and I now owe it to the manager, Claudio Ranieri, and the club,” he added last season.

While Terry and Morris were cleared at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court, Wimbledon defender Des Byrne was found guilty by a majority verdict of 10-2 of possessing a bottle as an offensive weapon.

The Irishman, who was cleared of affray, was fined £2,000 (€3,136) and faces 45 days in prison if he defaults on the fine. He was ordered to pay costs of £1,000 (€1,568).

The charges followed an incident at the Wellington nightclub in Knightsbridge, London, on January 4.