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Anti-racism group backs John Terry decision
BACKING ... Show Racism the Red Card says it was right to strip John Terry of the England captaincy.
A NORTH East-based anti-racism campaign group has backed the Football Association’s decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy.
Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) said it was the right move, ahead of the Chelsea star’s criminal trial later this year on racism charges.
Terry is accused of racially abusing QPR’s former Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand during a game in October.
SRtRC chief executive Ged Grebby, who has been behind initiatives in South Tyneside, insisted an employee in any other industry would be suspended if similarly accused.
He said: “Anyone else accused by the CPS of abusing a colleague in this way would be suspended on full pay until they were investigated.
“It was fairly obvious this would happen when Ferdinand and the QPR squad didn’t have to shake hands with the Chelsea players before a recent game. That spoke volumes.
“Our support in this case is with Anton Ferdinand.
‘Terry is innocent until proven guilty and we cannot comment on what should happen until he is found innocent or guilty.”
Centre-back Terry, 31, was informed of the decision by FA chairman David Bernstein in a phone call at 10am yesterday.
He is due to stand trial in July over the allegations, which he denies.
In a statement, the FA said Terry would not “captain the England team until the allegations against him are resolved”.
It said the FA board had expected his trial to be concluded before the European football championships this summer, but recent confirmation that it would not be dealt with by then had prompted their move.
The statement added: “The board has discussed the matter in detail and has collectively decided it is in the interests of all parties that John has the responsibilities of captaincy removed at this time.
“This decision has been taken due to the higher-profile nature of the England captaincy, on and off the pitch, and the additional demands and requirements expected of the captain leading into and during a tournament.”
The FA said England manager Fabio Capello was free to select Terry for the Netherlands friendly on February 29 and Euro 2012, but that he had not been involved in the decision.
The statement added: “FA chairman David Bernstein has spoken to both John Terry and Fabio Capello to explain the facts to them.
“Fabio Capello has not been involved in the FA Board discussions which reached this conclusion, but understands that the FA Board has authority to make this decision.
“Fabio Capello will take the decision as to who will be made captain moving forward.
“This decision in no way infers any suggestion of guilt in relation to the charge made against John Terry. The FA will be not be making any further comment on this matter.”
Founded in 1996, Show Racism the Red Card, is an anti-racism charity which aims to produce educational resources to harness the high profile of professional footballers to combat racism.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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