John Terry will once again wear the captain’s armband for Chelsea when the Blues take the field against Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine tonight in their UEFA Champions LeagueGroup E match.
According to various reports, Terry’s armband will be embroidered with the motto “Unite against Racism.” It will also be exactly one year to the day since hisinfamous altercation with QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, for which the 31-year-old defender was fined $354,000 and banned for four English Premier League games by the English FootballAssociation. He was later docked a further two weeks wages by Chelsea.
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo says he has no issue with Terry retaining the captaincy. “I think hehas realized that he used language that was inappropriate and has apologized for that and has certainly learned from that,” the Italian said. “With good performances and good behavior he should stillbe looked upon as the leader for our club.”
Meanwhile, Lord Ouseley, chairman of the anti-racism group Kick It Out, disagrees with the club’s decision. “I’m nothappy with Terry being captain,” he said. “It doesn’t please me, but I’m irrelevant in that process. That is a matter for Chelsea. It will please some people and it won’t please others.”