According to Les Ferdinand, a one-time England striker, John Terry should quit international football, if he did in fact spew racial abuse at Anton Ferdinand, his cousin. This statement comes after an investigation by the Football Association was announced, to determine whether or not John Terry yelled a racial slur at Ferdinand, during a match between the Queens Parks Rangers and Chelsea, in a Premier League Match. Terry has denied leveling any type of racial abuse at Ferdinand and has stated that he is fine with the inquiry because it gives him a chance to prove his innocence.
At the Black List Awards, Les Ferdinand, spoke about the incident. It was there that he stated that Terry should give up playing if he did call Anton Ferdinand a racist name. Even though Ferdinand acknowledged that the final decision is up to FA, he wanted it to be known what his feelings were about what would warrant an appropriate punishment. Terry doesn’t believe that a fine would be adequate enough, in terms of punishment. Low level financial fines in the past have seemingly ignored or downplayed the racism that exists in football.
Fabio Capello, who is the England manager, by all accounts is going to have Terry join his team for their friendly matches against Sweden and Spain. Rio Ferdinand, won’t likely play. This decision is believed to be football and only football, related. However, there may be additional reasons for it as well. Excluding Rio would ensure that he and Terry would avoid contact with each. Rio is the brother of Anton Ferdinand, the player Terry allegedly yelled the racial slur at.
The investigation by the FA has already begun. The organization has started to talk to witnesses and government representatives. They have already spent some time at the QPR training ground. Anton Ferdinand is believed to have been interviewed, along with three or more of his QPR teammates.
According to Ferdinand, he didn’t actually hear Terry make the racial slur. He learned of it later and then watched a video of the incident. During the matches 85th minute, Terry reportedly mouthed a racially charged insult toward Ferdinand. Terry refutes that version of events, stating that he never made such a statement and never called Ferdinand, the term he has been accused of.
Immediately after the game, Ferdinand never made mention that Terry said something inappropriate to him. He spoke with Terry after the match concluded but apparently was not satisfied with what was said because he asked the FA to investigate.
The FA has not announced when they will conclude their investigation. If it not completed soon, then it may make life a bit uncomfortable for Terry, because England is set to compete against Sweden and Spain in friendlies. Though there has been no official word, according to sources close to the investigation, the investigation should be finished in about a week. It is believed that it will take about that long to interview witnesses and take a look at the evidence. Once the aforementioned has been done, the FA legal team will need to decide whether or not further action is needed, specifically, whether or not charges should be filed. As it stands, the investigation has not been fast tracked. It may even be slowed down because of Ferdinand and Terry’s clubs, game commitments.
