John Terry. Photo credit: Paul Bence
The background
Ex-England captain John Terry has been cleared of racially abusing fellow footballer Anton Ferdinand. The Chelsea and England defender had denied making racist comments to the Queens Park Rangers defender during a match at QPR’s Loftus Road last October. It was alleged that Terry had called Ferdinand a “f*cking black c*nt” on the pitch. Terry did not deny using the words but his defence was that he had thought Ferdinand was accusing him of using the words, and was simply (sarcastically) repeating them back to him when he was caught on camera.
In his written judgement, Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle said that after weighing the evidence it was “highly unlikely” that Terry abused Ferdinand in the manner he was accused of. 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. In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty.” Terry did not comment to the waiting media as he left Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The tweets
The not guilty verdict has spread like wildfire on micro-blogging site Twitter. The reaction ranges from shock, anger and disbelief from Terry’s detractors to let-that-be-the-end-of-it from Terry’s supporters. Here’s the best of the reaction.
Due process, trial, verdict. End of. Don’t confuse it all with personal likes or dislikes.
— Andy Green (@andersred) July 13, 2012
Magistrate basically says John Terry said the words “f****** b**** c***” but can’t be sure it was an insult. Read that back. Incredible. — talkSPORTDrive (@talkSPORTDrive) July 13, 2012
Well!!! That verdict means it’s open season on black players!! — Rodney Marsh (@RodneyMarsh10) July 13, 2012
Footballers might not have come out of the Terry case well, but they don’t look as bad as lawyers. Five days? Over one sentence? — Rory Smith (@RorySmithTimes) July 13, 2012
John Terry not a racist. Just a caaant then! #TopShagger though
— Danny Dyer (@Danny__Dyer) July 13, 2012
Good that John Terry has been cleared of racial abuse. Charge should never have been brought @chelseafc
— Peter Hain (@PeterHain) July 13, 2012
John Terry not guilty is the correct verdict. Other Chelsea players wouldn’t tolerate him if he was a staunch racist.
— FITZDARES(@Fitzdares) July 13, 2012
Pleased for John Terry. The extra-marital affairs, the mocking 9/11 and the parking in disabled bays aside, he’s a total sweetheart.
— Sixth Form Poet (@sixthformpoet) July 13, 2012
Amazed by how many people on Twitter are libelling John Terry.
— Jonathan Haynes (@JonathanHaynes) July 13, 2012
