• John Terry

Terry found not guilty of racist offence

Chelsea captain John Terry has been found not guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence over an argument he had with Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

Terry was accused of insulting Ferdinand with reference to his colour during an on-pitch argument towards the end of Chelsea's Premier League match against QPR on October 23, 2011.

However, after evidence was heard for four days at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle returned a 'not guilty' verdict on Friday - indicating there was too much doubt over what Terry actually said, and whether it was intended in a racist manner, to judge the case any other way.

"The issue for the court is not to decide whether Mr Terry is a racist - I have received unchallenged evidence he is not," Riddle said in his summary. "The issue is whether Mr Terry uttered the words f***ing black **** as an insult. If he did, the offence is made out.

"[But] even with all the help received, it is impossible to be sure exactly what were the words spoken by John Terry at the relevant time.

"Nobody has been able to show that he is lying. In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty."

Terry, who had always maintained his innocence, told the court he was "angry and upset" at the accusations made against him, admitting that he did utter the phrase "f***ing black ****" towards Ferdinand but insisting it was said in an alarmed manner, shocked at what he thought Ferdinand had accused him of saying.

In his summary, Riddle noted: "It is possible that what [Terry] said was not intended as an insult but rather as a challenge to what he believed had been said to him.

"I think it is highly unlikely that Mr Ferdinand accused Mr Terry on the pitch of calling him a black ****. However I accept that it is possible that Mr Terry believed at the time, and believes now, that such an accusation was made."

Ferdinand, meanwhile, said that he had been unaware that racist language had been used by Terry until he was shown a video of the incident by his then-girlfriend after the match, adding that "when someone brings your colour into it, it takes it to another level and it's very hurtful."

Riddle indicated that he had no reason to doubt Ferdinand's version of events, but maintained there was sufficient doubt over the incident to return a not guilty verdict.

"Overall I found Anton Ferdinand to be a believable witness on the central issue," Riddle said, describing the defender as "brave" to give evidence. He noted their were some discrepancies in his account but added: "There is little or no reason for Ferdinand to lie - I have no significant doubts about his integrity."

During the trial, Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole gave evidence in court on his team-mate's behalf, while former manager Jose Mourinho and a number of his current team-mates at Stamford Bridge signed character witness statements backing the 31-year-old.

While reviewing the video evidence of the incident, a number of lip-reading experts were also called upon by the court to impart their expertise.

"Even with all the help the court has received from television footage, expert lip readers, witnesses and indeed counsel, it is impossible to be sure exactly what were the words spoken by Mr Terry at the relevant time," Riddle said. "It is impossible to be sure exactly what was said to him at the relevant time by Mr Ferdinand."

The case has been costly to Terry, as he was stripped of the England captaincy once the initial story emerged - while Fabio Capello's exit as England boss was traced back in many quarters to his dispute with the Football Association over how Terry should be treated.

The Crown Prosecution Service, however, maintained that the case warranted going to trial - saying it was content to see "justice being done".

"The very serious allegation at the heart of this case was one of racial abuse," Alison Saunders, chief CPS prosecutor for London, said. "It was our view that this was not 'banter' on the football pitch and that the allegation should be judged by a court.

"The Chief Magistrate agreed that Mr Terry had a case to answer, but having heard all of the evidence he acquitted Mr Terry of a racially aggravated offence. That is justice being done and we respect the Chief Magistrate's decision."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.