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Terry and Ferdinand set to be charged with bringing game into disrepute
FA made announcement immediately after Terry was cleared at court
Chief executive of the PFA said the game’s image had been badly damaged
FA was close to concluding its own inquiries before the police got involved
Organisation will review judgment before deciding on what action to take
Decision expected next week as to whether pair will be charged by FA
By Phil Vinter
John Terry's troubles are set to continue as the FA now reopens its own inquiry which could see bans for both the former England captain and Anton Ferdinand.
Terry was cleared of a racially aggravated public order offence against Ferdinand at Westminister Magistrate's Court yesterday, but the pair now face charges brought by the Football Association.
The FA inquiry into the incident, which took place during the game between Chelsea and QPR last October, was close to concluding when it was postponed after the police got involved.
Fresh charges: Following the conclusion of the court case the FA is set to reopen its own inquiry to decide whether Terry and Ferdinand should face charges of bringing the game into disrepute
The FA, who had a lawyer attending every day of the week-long trial, said they would look the findings of the court case before deciding whether or not to bring any proceedings against Terry and Ferdinand.
Although it is understood no evidence of which the FA was not already aware emerged during the trial the body will decide whether Terry should still be charged with using abusive and insulting words and with making reference to Ferdinand’s ethnic origin and colour.
If the decision is yes Terry would face a ban from playing.
Ferdinand could be charged for bringing the game into disrepute for the comments he made during the exchange.
Charges can still be brought by the FA against Terry even thought he was acquitted in court because they have a lower burden of proof - Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned last season for racially abusing Patrice Evra but that case never went to court.
In a brief statement an FA spokesman said: 'The FA notes the decision in the John Terry case and will now seek to conclude its own enquiries.'
Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, has says revelations about the obscene remarks which are exchanged during matches have damaged the game's reputation.
Taylor, has urged the FA to ensure that players understand their responsibilities as role models next season.
He also suggested the FA are in 'a difficult position' over whether they charge Terry.
Taylor said: 'It has been an unedifying process and the game has been damaged as a result of the dirty linen being washed in public.
Key moment: Terry and QPR's Anton Ferdinand clash during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road
'I now want to see an improvement in the Respect campaign. It is not just the line between what is banter and what is illegal, so much of what we have heard this week needs to be cut out.
'The players are role models and everything now gets picked up in a match on television. These insults and this language leads to things that should not be said.'
Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned by the FA for eight matches for racially abusing Patrice Evra last season, and Taylor says players should be in no doubt about a line that cannot be crossed.
He added: 'There are no grey areas any more. Players now know exactly what they can say and what they can't.
'It's the biggest game in the world and players who earn big money know the cameras and microphones are always on them and should be very mindful of what they are saying and doing.
'The Respect campaign has got to be stepped up.'
Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks, now a BBC presenter, believes Terry should still face action from the FA despite his defence that he was only repeating what he believed Ferdinand had accused him of saying.
Crooks said: 'I believe it was wrong of him to say these words under any circumstances - and though Terry has been found not to have committed a criminal offence, the FA must now decide whether the former England captain should be charged for contravening its own rules.
'If the FA don't act on the undisputed facts, and find Terry guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, a lot of good people are saying to me that there's no point in getting involved in the game at a senior level.'
He added: 'The real problem in the Terry case began once the FA failed to take immediate action.
'This lack of fibre by the governing body to act instantly when Terry gave them a statement after the verbal clash with Ferdinand, threw the entire procedure into chaos - forcing everyone associated with the game to either dive for cover or sit on the fence.
'It may have appeared expedient to delay matters at the time but once the police appeared on the scene the FA lost control of the process and the dynamic dramatically changed. The football fraternity suddenly became polarised: the dinosaurs who felt it was no more than two players engaged in a slanging match; and the others convinced Terry had gone too far.'
Relieved: The former England captain is flanked by security as passes throngs of supporters and the press
Many black British players remain unconvinced about the verdict and have taken to social networks like Twitter to vent their frustration.
Cameron Jerome who plays for premiership club Stoke City tweeted: 'Very interesting verdict say no more about the uk justice system then. May as well go behave how we want people.
'May as well go rob a bank and when I get caught just say was only banter and they started it by calling me names lol.'
And Fitz Hall, a midfielder, who last season played for Queens Park Rangers Tweeted ' Shock, F***ing Joke'.
Serious questions remain over why the case was brought to trial when alleged victim Anton Ferdinand did not initially appear to support the investigation.
It was only when an off-duty police officer complained to Scotland Yard two days after the incident that inquiries began.
Cameron Jerome of Stoke City (left) and Fitz Hall formerly of Queens Park Rangers (Right) took to Twitter to vent their frustration over the John Terry racism case
Prosecutors later chose to bring charges despite inconclusive statements from the QPR player.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the acquittal was ‘justice being done’ and insisted there was enough evidence to bring the case to trial.
But one legal source said: ‘It was a high-profile case and no one wants to be the person who signs off a decision to drop it or dispose of it in another way. You could say letting it run to court is the path of least resistance.
‘But it is also the most expensive and a verdict like this leaves no winners.’
Cheers greeted the verdict at the end of a five-day trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Chelsea fans popped bottles of champagne outside as Terry’s family and friends celebrated and hugged each other in the public gallery.
The multi-millionaire defender was prosecuted over an ugly clash that lasted fewer than 35 seconds in a match last October watched by more than two million fans on television.
Shell-shocked: Anton Ferdinand's mother, Janice (right), looks stunned as she leaves court after the ruling
Full backing: A Chelsea fan shows his delight as crowds of supporters celebrate the verdict outside court
Making their views known: Chelsea fans hold a banner bearing the words 'JT Captain leader legend' after the verdict
He was accused of hurling a volley of racist abuse at Ferdinand, whose brother is Terry’s England team-mate Rio, after being taunted over his affair with a team-mate’s girlfriend.
He admitted calling him a ‘f****** black c***’ and a ‘f****** k***head’ as they squared up on the pitch.
But the 31-year-old claimed he was simply repeating the words after being falsely accused of saying them. As the pair traded insults, he claims to have heard Ferdinand say: ‘Calling me a black c***?’, and to have replied: ‘A black c***? You f****** k***head.’
The players met in the Chelsea changing room after the match and shook hands, writing it all off as ‘handbags’ and on-pitch ‘banter’.
Even when he was shown footage of the incident on YouTube, Ferdinand did nothing.
But an off-duty police officer watching on TV, who claimed to be able to lip read, complained to the Met that a racially-aggravated offence had taken place.
In the weeks that followed Terry was stripped of the England captaincy and lost a fortune in sponsorship deals. England manager Fabio Capello resigned in a row over the move.
Yesterday chief magistrate Howard Riddle, who is also a district judge, said there was not enough evidence to prove ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ that Terry was guilty.
He said TV footage did not show the complete exchange, meaning it was impossible to be sure exactly what was said. ‘In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty,’ he said.
Nervous: The former England captain was escorted by security past a phalanx of press photographers and TV cameras into the court
FA made announcement immediately after Terry was cleared at court
Chief executive of the PFA said the game’s image had been badly damaged
FA was close to concluding its own inquiries before the police got involved
Organisation will review judgment before deciding on what action to take
Decision expected next week as to whether pair will be charged by FA
By Phil Vinter
John Terry's troubles are set to continue as the FA now reopens its own inquiry which could see bans for both the former England captain and Anton Ferdinand.
Terry was cleared of a racially aggravated public order offence against Ferdinand at Westminister Magistrate's Court yesterday, but the pair now face charges brought by the Football Association.
The FA inquiry into the incident, which took place during the game between Chelsea and QPR last October, was close to concluding when it was postponed after the police got involved.
Fresh charges: Following the conclusion of the court case the FA is set to reopen its own inquiry to decide whether Terry and Ferdinand should face charges of bringing the game into disrepute
The FA, who had a lawyer attending every day of the week-long trial, said they would look the findings of the court case before deciding whether or not to bring any proceedings against Terry and Ferdinand.
Although it is understood no evidence of which the FA was not already aware emerged during the trial the body will decide whether Terry should still be charged with using abusive and insulting words and with making reference to Ferdinand’s ethnic origin and colour.
If the decision is yes Terry would face a ban from playing.
Ferdinand could be charged for bringing the game into disrepute for the comments he made during the exchange.
Charges can still be brought by the FA against Terry even thought he was acquitted in court because they have a lower burden of proof - Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned last season for racially abusing Patrice Evra but that case never went to court.
In a brief statement an FA spokesman said: 'The FA notes the decision in the John Terry case and will now seek to conclude its own enquiries.'
Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, has says revelations about the obscene remarks which are exchanged during matches have damaged the game's reputation.
Taylor, has urged the FA to ensure that players understand their responsibilities as role models next season.
He also suggested the FA are in 'a difficult position' over whether they charge Terry.
Taylor said: 'It has been an unedifying process and the game has been damaged as a result of the dirty linen being washed in public.
Key moment: Terry and QPR's Anton Ferdinand clash during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road
'I now want to see an improvement in the Respect campaign. It is not just the line between what is banter and what is illegal, so much of what we have heard this week needs to be cut out.
'The players are role models and everything now gets picked up in a match on television. These insults and this language leads to things that should not be said.'
Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned by the FA for eight matches for racially abusing Patrice Evra last season, and Taylor says players should be in no doubt about a line that cannot be crossed.
He added: 'There are no grey areas any more. Players now know exactly what they can say and what they can't.
'It's the biggest game in the world and players who earn big money know the cameras and microphones are always on them and should be very mindful of what they are saying and doing.
'The Respect campaign has got to be stepped up.'
Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks, now a BBC presenter, believes Terry should still face action from the FA despite his defence that he was only repeating what he believed Ferdinand had accused him of saying.
Crooks said: 'I believe it was wrong of him to say these words under any circumstances - and though Terry has been found not to have committed a criminal offence, the FA must now decide whether the former England captain should be charged for contravening its own rules.
'If the FA don't act on the undisputed facts, and find Terry guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, a lot of good people are saying to me that there's no point in getting involved in the game at a senior level.'
Stony-faced: Terry refused to comment as he left the court building to shouts of support from crowds waiting outside
Crooks also criticised the FA for not acting sooner.He added: 'The real problem in the Terry case began once the FA failed to take immediate action.
'This lack of fibre by the governing body to act instantly when Terry gave them a statement after the verbal clash with Ferdinand, threw the entire procedure into chaos - forcing everyone associated with the game to either dive for cover or sit on the fence.
'It may have appeared expedient to delay matters at the time but once the police appeared on the scene the FA lost control of the process and the dynamic dramatically changed. The football fraternity suddenly became polarised: the dinosaurs who felt it was no more than two players engaged in a slanging match; and the others convinced Terry had gone too far.'
Relieved: The former England captain is flanked by security as passes throngs of supporters and the press
Many black British players remain unconvinced about the verdict and have taken to social networks like Twitter to vent their frustration.
Cameron Jerome who plays for premiership club Stoke City tweeted: 'Very interesting verdict say no more about the uk justice system then. May as well go behave how we want people.
'May as well go rob a bank and when I get caught just say was only banter and they started it by calling me names lol.'
And Fitz Hall, a midfielder, who last season played for Queens Park Rangers Tweeted ' Shock, F***ing Joke'.
Serious questions remain over why the case was brought to trial when alleged victim Anton Ferdinand did not initially appear to support the investigation.
It was only when an off-duty police officer complained to Scotland Yard two days after the incident that inquiries began.
Cameron Jerome of Stoke City (left) and Fitz Hall formerly of Queens Park Rangers (Right) took to Twitter to vent their frustration over the John Terry racism case
Prosecutors later chose to bring charges despite inconclusive statements from the QPR player.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the acquittal was ‘justice being done’ and insisted there was enough evidence to bring the case to trial.
But one legal source said: ‘It was a high-profile case and no one wants to be the person who signs off a decision to drop it or dispose of it in another way. You could say letting it run to court is the path of least resistance.
‘But it is also the most expensive and a verdict like this leaves no winners.’
Cheers greeted the verdict at the end of a five-day trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Chelsea fans popped bottles of champagne outside as Terry’s family and friends celebrated and hugged each other in the public gallery.
The multi-millionaire defender was prosecuted over an ugly clash that lasted fewer than 35 seconds in a match last October watched by more than two million fans on television.
Shell-shocked: Anton Ferdinand's mother, Janice (right), looks stunned as she leaves court after the ruling
Full backing: A Chelsea fan shows his delight as crowds of supporters celebrate the verdict outside court
Making their views known: Chelsea fans hold a banner bearing the words 'JT Captain leader legend' after the verdict
He was accused of hurling a volley of racist abuse at Ferdinand, whose brother is Terry’s England team-mate Rio, after being taunted over his affair with a team-mate’s girlfriend.
He admitted calling him a ‘f****** black c***’ and a ‘f****** k***head’ as they squared up on the pitch.
But the 31-year-old claimed he was simply repeating the words after being falsely accused of saying them. As the pair traded insults, he claims to have heard Ferdinand say: ‘Calling me a black c***?’, and to have replied: ‘A black c***? You f****** k***head.’
The players met in the Chelsea changing room after the match and shook hands, writing it all off as ‘handbags’ and on-pitch ‘banter’.
Even when he was shown footage of the incident on YouTube, Ferdinand did nothing.
But an off-duty police officer watching on TV, who claimed to be able to lip read, complained to the Met that a racially-aggravated offence had taken place.
In the weeks that followed Terry was stripped of the England captaincy and lost a fortune in sponsorship deals. England manager Fabio Capello resigned in a row over the move.
Yesterday chief magistrate Howard Riddle, who is also a district judge, said there was not enough evidence to prove ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ that Terry was guilty.
He said TV footage did not show the complete exchange, meaning it was impossible to be sure exactly what was said. ‘In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty,’ he said.
Nervous: The former England captain was escorted by security past a phalanx of press photographers and TV cameras into the court
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