John Terry only got 4 games? Are you kidding me?

[JenniferParisHusband]

ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING ME? Terry only got 4 got games, and he admitted to it? Suarez got 8 for using something that's a term of affection in latin america?


LONDON (AP) -- From the heights of captaining England and Chelsea, John Terry's football career faces being forever marred by being banned on Thursday for racially abusing an opponent.

Almost a year after hurling a slur at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, Terry was handed a four-match ban and a record 220,000 pound ($356,000) fine by a Football Association disciplinary panel after a four-day hearing.

The 31-year-old defender, who has been named four times in UEFA's team of the year, remains aggrieved that the FA pursued a case against him despite being cleared in a criminal trial in July of a racially-aggravated public order offense.

"Mr. Terry is disappointed that the FA Regulatory Commission has reached a different conclusion to the clear not guilty verdict of a court of law,'' Terry's management team said in a statement. "He has asked for the detailed written reasons of the decision and will consider them carefully before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.''

The sanctions are on hold until the outcome of any potential appeal.
Terry had announced his international retirement on Sunday - in protest at the FA's pursuit of the case.

The move ended a controversial nine-year career representing England during which he became the first player to be stripped of the captaincy twice. The second time led to Fabio Capello quitting as England coach in February, angry at the FA hierarchy's decision to fire Terry before either of his cases had been heard.

The full reasons for the FA's verdict are yet to be released, but the panel said it proved the case that Terry used "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behavior ... which included a reference to color and/or race.''
But the length of the ban has already been questioned, since Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was suspended for eight matches for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during another Premier League game last October.

Former England striker Gary Lineker pointed out on Twitter that Terry's four-match ban is "just one game more than a regular red card.''
There was also criticism from Joey Barton, who was banned for 12 matches for violent conduct on the last day of the season while playing for Queens Park Rangers.

"What an absolute farce,'' tweeted Barton, who is on loan at French club Marseille. "Twelve games for violent conduct and only four for that (racism).

"FA should be embarrassed ... by the FA's perverse reckoning, I'd of got less of a ban for racially abusing the Man City players than tickling them as I did. In what circumstance can that be right?''

In the court case, Terry did not deny using an offensive term during the match at QPR in a confrontation that quickly spread on YouTube after the match.

But Terry maintained all he did was sarcastically use the phrase "(expletive) black (expletive)'' to counter the obscenity he claims Ferdinand was accusing him of using.

Ferdinand did admit to goading Terry about his alleged extramarital affair with the former girlfriend of ex-England teammate Wayne Bridge, which led to Terry losing the national team captaincy for the first time in 2010 - before being reinstated a year later.

The magistrate described Terry's defense as being "under the cold light of forensic examination, unlikely,'' but found there was not enough evidence to prove he was lying.

But the hearing conducted by English football's governing body had a lower burden of proof, with the context of the insult less significant. The FA said in its Suarez verdict last year that his guilt did not depend on whether he "intended his words to be abusive or insulting,'' with the use of a racial slur during a match enough to convict the Uruguay international.
Chelsea, which bans fans for life if they are found guilty of racial abuse, is standing by Terry for now.

Since making his Chelsea debut in 1998, Terry has won every major club title, including the Premier League three times and the Champions League last season, although he was suspended for the final.

"Chelsea Football Club notes and respects today's decision by the Football Association regarding John Terry,'' the club said. "We also recognize that John has the right to appeal that decision. It is therefore inappropriate for us to comment further on the matter at this time.''

The Terry and Suarez cases that blighted last season prompted British lawmakers to investigate the apparent resurgence in racism cases.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee praised the improvement in atmosphere at matches compared to the 1970s and `80s, but said the football authorities need to do more to combat racism in the British game.
"It would be good if there was some sort of recognition on John Terry's part that what he did was wrong,'' said committee member Damian Collins. "This is something football should learn from.''

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz27jpopwmH

[JenniferParisHusband]

If he loses the appeal, wonder if Chelsea will cut ties with him like they do their fans.

[robertlouis]

He's a yob and he was one long before the racism cases.

Bloody good defender at his peak though.

[Stavros]

ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING ME? Terry only got 4 got games, and he admitted to it? Suarez got 8 for using something that's a term of affection in latin america?

I don't think that the law has much to do with it, the FA are making an example of Terry. As for Negrito being 'a term of affection in latin america' are you not being disingenuous? You mean that Suarez is trying to get past Evra and being affectionate at the same time? Suarez: Sorry for kicking your ankles, darling little black boy, I just need to run past you and (try and) score a goal...Evra: d'accord cheri, I understand, but you know I can't let you do that, I will get into trouble with the boss.

I think you get my point. Or maybe you are going to claim that fuck off when used on the football pitch is just another term of endearment?

[Marts]

Someone said he's a yob. Agreed.

[JenniferParisHusband]

I don't think that the law has much to do with it, the FA are making an example of Terry. As for Negrito being 'a term of affection in latin america' are you not being disingenuous? You mean that Suarez is trying to get past Evra and being affectionate at the same time? Suarez: Sorry for kicking your ankles, darling little black boy, I just need to run past you and (try and) score a goal...Evra: d'accord cheri, I understand, but you know I can't let you do that, I will get into trouble with the boss.

I think you get my point. Or maybe you are going to claim that fuck off when used on the football pitch is just another term of endearment?

Slow your roll there Stavros. You're looking for a fight that isn't there. If you want to make it a fight, I'll be happy to do so. So let's cool it with the "Fuck off" comparison, and re-read what I've read. Or I can explain it to you in simple terms below... Since we can't read between the lines, I guess we need simple terms that even you can understand. (I owed you that one for your snarky comments. Deal with it like a big boy. We're even now.)

You're misunderstanding me. Yes, it actually is a term of affection for a black friend in Uraguay. I've got friends from there who've told me this as fact. My belief is that Suarez was trying to insult Evra as close as he thought he could go without being racist, and it backfired. Is "Negrito" racist in Europe, probably. I think it's at least questionable based on a cultural aspect, but for the sake of argument, I'll even say definately. Should it have gotten him suspended? I'll even agree with you there for the sake of the argument. I don't think that's at issue. The intent to be racist was still there on the part of Suarez, even if he was trying to hide it. It;s at least questionable under a cultural context.

But here's the point! If you give Suarez an 8 game suspension for that, why the hell does Terry get a 4 game suspension for a violation he bloody well admitted to making, using a slur that is much less questionable? It's crap. He should get at least the same 8 game ban if the FA is going to be consistent about things. Or worse if they felt that there is a lot of it going on and want to make a stronger example to stop it. But they're not consistent, and that's the problem with the FA. You can argue that it's the same bloody thing as Suarez or make a case that Terry's offense is worse. The slur he used has no other questionable meaning. It's inconsistent and unfair to a team like Liverpool, and giving Chelsea an unfair advantage. And that's also the problem with Chelsea as their fans are going to see. They have banned fans from the stadium for LIFE for racist remarks, they should do the same with their players. Will they bench him until the window and then cut him loose? No, I doubt it. That would take some sort of integrity that the FA, Chelsea, and probably all of the EPL lacks. And that is the point I was making.

[Stavros]

Slow your roll there Stavros. You're looking for a fight that isn't there. If you want to make it a fight, I'll be happy to do so. So let's cool it with the "Fuck off" comparison, and re-read what I've read. Or I can explain it to you in simple terms below... Since we can't read between the lines, I guess we need simple terms that even you can understand. (I owed you that one for your snarky comments. Deal with it like a big boy. We're even now.)

You're misunderstanding me. Yes, it actually is a term of affection for a black friend in Uraguay. I've got friends from there who've told me this as fact. My belief is that Suarez was trying to insult Evra as close as he thought he could go without being racist, and it backfired. Is "Negrito" racist in Europe, probably. I think it's at least questionable based on a cultural aspect, but for the sake of argument, I'll even say definately. Should it have gotten him suspended? I'll even agree with you there for the sake of the argument. I don't think that's at issue. The intent to be racist was still there on the part of Suarez, even if he was trying to hide it. It;s at least questionable under a cultural context.

But here's the point! If you give Suarez an 8 game suspension for that, why the hell does Terry get a 4 game suspension for a violation he bloody well admitted to making, using a slur that is much less questionable? It's crap. He should get at least the same 8 game ban if the FA is going to be consistent about things. Or worse if they felt that there is a lot of it going on and want to make a stronger example to stop it. But they're not consistent, and that's the problem with the FA. You can argue that it's the same bloody thing as Suarez or make a case that Terry's offense is worse. The slur he used has no other questionable meaning. It's inconsistent and unfair to a team like Liverpool, and giving Chelsea an unfair advantage. And that's also the problem with Chelsea as their fans are going to see. They have banned fans from the stadium for LIFE for racist remarks, they should do the same with their players. Will they bench him until the window and then cut him loose? No, I doubt it. That would take some sort of integrity that the FA, Chelsea, and probably all of the EPL lacks. And that is the point I was making.

But I actually agree with you on most of what you say. I think perhaps the need players have to wind up their opponents -to put them off their game, get them carded- is the problem. Let's leave it at that, there is too much silly nonsense going on during the games as it is.

[luvtrans]

Factoids / Rumours:
1. Terry took money to show visitors around his place of employment without his employer's knowledge
2. Terry slept with a former team-mate's girl (& his wife apparently forgave him)
3. Terry is a hard-core gambler and is effectively pennyless
4. Terry expressed racist comments to another player but seemingly didn't mean it as an insult (hence his acquittal in UK courts) - had a fan done the same at the Chelsea stadium, the fan would have been given a life-time ban
5. Terry is white and a former captain of the national team

Read between whatever lines you care to

[SammiValentine]

Slow your roll there Stavros. You're looking for a fight that isn't there. If you want to make it a fight, I'll be happy to do so. So let's cool it with the "Fuck off" comparison, and re-read what I've read. Or I can explain it to you in simple terms below... Since we can't read between the lines, I guess we need simple terms that even you can understand. (I owed you that one for your snarky comments. Deal with it like a big boy. We're even now.)

You're misunderstanding me. Yes, it actually is a term of affection for a black friend in Uraguay. I've got friends from there who've told me this as fact. My belief is that Suarez was trying to insult Evra as close as he thought he could go without being racist, and it backfired. Is "Negrito" racist in Europe, probably. I think it's at least questionable based on a cultural aspect, but for the sake of argument, I'll even say definately. Should it have gotten him suspended? I'll even agree with you there for the sake of the argument. I don't think that's at issue. The intent to be racist was still there on the part of Suarez, even if he was trying to hide it. It;s at least questionable under a cultural context.

But here's the point! If you give Suarez an 8 game suspension for that, why the hell does Terry get a 4 game suspension for a violation he bloody well admitted to making, using a slur that is much less questionable? It's crap. He should get at least the same 8 game ban if the FA is going to be consistent about things. Or worse if they felt that there is a lot of it going on and want to make a stronger example to stop it. But they're not consistent, and that's the problem with the FA. You can argue that it's the same bloody thing as Suarez or make a case that Terry's offense is worse. The slur he used has no other questionable meaning. It's inconsistent and unfair to a team like Liverpool, and giving Chelsea an unfair advantage. And that's also the problem with Chelsea as their fans are going to see. They have banned fans from the stadium for LIFE for racist remarks, they should do the same with their players. Will they bench him until the window and then cut him loose? No, I doubt it. That would take some sort of integrity that the FA, Chelsea, and probably all of the EPL lacks. And that is the point I was making.

Saurez ban was doubled for "aggrivating reasons" and "repetitive use of insult" (which was never proven)

john terry refused to give evidence to fa, so it was always going to be just the 4 game ban after being found guilty.

[beaufont]

It was only for 4 games as they did not want to confuse him - so they made it for no more than the amount of digits he has on 1 hand