John Terry. Photo credit: Julian Mason http://flic.kr/p/c2r4WL
The background
Chelsea captain John Terry has retired from international football ahead of a Football Association disciplinary hearing which is widely expected to find him guilty of using alleged “abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour” towards Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during last season’s league clash between Chelsea and QPR at Loftus Road. Terry was cleared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in July of racially abusing Ferdinand.
Read a round-up to the football commentariat’s reaction to Terry’s announcement here.
Terry’s decision to quit has been largely welcomed by key commentators on Twitter, many of whom admire the ex-England captain’s qualities as a player but few of whom warm to Terry as a person.
The tweets
The FA didn’t make John Terry’s position ‘untenable’ – his foul-mouthed, racist abuse of a fellow professional did. End.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 24, 2012
In highly unlikely event John Terry is found not guilty of FA charge (1% chance, roughly), I suspect JT will find an England U-turn tenable.
— sportingintelligence (@sportingintel) September 23, 2012
Andrew Marr reveals that every living human is related to an African woman from 65,000BC. This really isn’t John Terry’s night.
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) September 23, 2012
John Terry has played his last game for England. He may be scum, but admittedly, he rarely let his country down on the pitch.
— Lewis Jones (@_LJones_) September 23, 2012
John Terry: I think this is called “pulling a Lance Armstrong”
— Hadley Freeman (@HadleyFreeman) September 24, 2012
Whatever you think about John Terry, he always gave his absolute all on the field for England. A strong leader and great defender.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 23, 2012
64% – England won 64% of the 78 games that John Terry played, compared to 59% in the 32 matches without him (since his debut). Retirement.
— Opta(@OptaJoe) September 24, 2012
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