FA: No credible basis for Terry defence against racism charge

The Football Association has released the written reasons behind the independent panel’s decision to ban Chelsea captain John Terry for four games and fine him £220,000 for using racist language towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.

The commission which banned Terry for four matches said there was “no credible basis” for the Chelsea skipper’s defence that he was only repeating words he believed the QPR defender said to him.

Terry admitted using the words “f***ing black c***” during a match in October last year but had claimed he had only been repeating words he thought Ferdinand had accused him of saying.

In its full written reasons for the four-match ban, the FA’s independent regulatory commission said it was satisfied the words were intended as an insult by Terry.

The commission said that character references from a number of people including black players made it clear that Terry was not racially prejudiced, however.

“It is accepted by everyone involved in the criminal and disciplinary proceedings that Mr Terry is not a racist,” said the Commission.

He now has two weeks in which to appeal.

The commission said: “The commission is quite satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that there is no credible basis for Mr Terry’s defence that his use of the words ’f****** black c***’ were directed at Ferdinand by way of forceful rejection and/or inquiry.

“Instead, we are quite satisfied, and find on the balance of probabilities, that the offending words were said by way of insult.

“We are able to arrive at that decision without needing to make any adverse findings against Mr Terry arising out of his decision not to give evidence.

“Accordingly, the Commission finds that there is ’clear and convincing’ evidence.”