John Terry

by stevieg8 Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:53 pm

So I didn't want to deal with the flame war that this post would inevitably inspire in the general section, but still wanted to express my frustration. For those who haven't seen it yet:

John Terry has been banned for four games after a Football Association commission found him guilty of using racist language towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a match at Loftus Road in October.

Terry, 31 - who announced his decision to retire from international football before the start of the FA hearing, saying the association had made his position with the national team "untenable" - has also been fined £220,000.

He had strongly denied the FA charge of "using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand and which included a reference to colour and/or race".

I genuinely don't understand how this happens. When Suarez was given his 8 game ban last season, it was because he violated the same rule (4 games) and a subsequent rule relating to "abusive and/or insulting words" full stop - without the inclusion of race (another 4 games). How, if one violated the first rule, could one possibly not have violated the second? Doesn't the precedent of double jeopardy for Suarez make clear that the minimum suspension for racial abuse be 8 games, simply by the wording of the rules? It's unfathomable to me.

As a side note: sorry for bringing this up again. I know we all want to put it behind us, but I read this and was so frustrated. That suspension had a major impact on our season last year, and to see this hypocrisy in the news just got me angry all over again. Hopefully this is the last time we have to deal with it.

by mr-r34 Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:17 pm

It's the Fa, honestly the only explanation is

John Terry Aliens-meme

by Art Morte Thu Sep 27, 2012 5:44 pm

lol r34

But yeah, it's ridiculous, an 8-game ban would have been the correct punishment. But I can't get too bothered about this, let's just get on with the football.