John Terry cleared of racism against Anton Ferdinand
Ex-England captain John Terry has been cleared of racially abusing fellow footballer Anton Ferdinand.
The Chelsea and England defender had denied making the comments to the Queens Park Rangers player during a match at Loftus Road last October.
The 31-year-old told Westminster Magistrates’ Court he was merely repeating what he thought Mr Ferdinand had said to him as they traded insults.
Mr Terry had described himself as “angry and upset” over the claims.
It was alleged he had insulted Mr Ferdinand in a Premier League match, describing him as “black” and using extreme sexual swear words.
Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle said he had heard a great deal of evidence to show Mr Terry was not a racist.
In his written judgement, he said that after weighing the evidence it was “highly unlikely” that Mr Terry abused Mr Ferdinand in the manner he was accused of.
Mr Riddle went on: “The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong.
Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18827915