Chelsea defender John Terry isn’t out of the woods just yet, though earlier this month a court cleared him of racially abusing an opposing player
The English FA hascharged Terry on Friday for abusing Anton Ferdinand of Queens Park Rangers during a Premier League match in October.
Terry was cleared of racially abusing Ferdinand July 13, but as a result of its own inquiry the FA has taken action. Terry was found not guilty after a five-day trial at Westminster Magistrates Court. The FA issued a statement that read in part,”It is alleged that Terry used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behavior towards Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferndinand contrary to FA rules. It is further alleged that this included a referenceto the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Anton Ferdinand. This charge is the result of The FA’s long-standing enquiries into this matter, which were placed on hold pending the outcome of thecriminal trial, and relates to rules governing football only.”
On its Web site Chelsea said, “John Terry has denied an FA charge announced today and will be requesting the opportunity for apersonal hearing.” Terry was stripped of the England captaincy in February over the allegations, which prompted Coach Fabio Capello to resign.
Lord HermanOuseley, chairman of the Kick it Out campaign that seeks to eradicate racism from soccer, had urged the FA to take action following the court decision. “There is only one regulatory body forfootball and it’s not the courts,” Ouseley told Sky Sports.