It is coming up for seven years now since John Terry found himself in the dock of Westminster magistrates court on charges of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand and, though I could never say sitting through that week-long trial was a particularly fulfilling experience, there is one memory that offers some light relief amid all the other numbing details.
It goes back to the penultimate day, when Terry was being taken through some of the evidence related to his exchange of words with Ferdinand, then of QPR, and having to repeat some of it for the benefit of the court. Terry was obediently following the instructions, albeit not looking absolutely sure what purpose it served, until he was asked to let the court know the number of times he had been sent off throughout his Chelsea career.
Related: Mauricio Pochettino would withdraw team if players were racially abused
Related: It’s not just Montenegro – there’s still racism in English football | Adrian Chiles
Forestieri admitted swearing at his opponent and, at that stage, that their argument was in English
Related: Sophie Jones quits football after racial abuse ban and Sheffield United exit
Continue reading...