John Terry in Court

[sir.prize]

Just been reported on BBC that if John Terry was found guilty of racial abuse, he could be fined £2,500.

May he apply for time to pay?

[emmie]

probably, what a farce.

[Brenden]

Cannot make up my mind on this one as I do not believe Ferdinand was blameless in this fracas - They have lip readers giving evidence so I shall wait and see what materialises.

[Gromit]

He is paid £150,000 a week not including any promotional work.

[jno]

so he'd be allowed about 10 seconds to pay. That seems fair.

[boxtops]

what I don't understand is that Ferdinand was reported on the TV just now as saying that he didn't hear the abuse at the time, it was only later that it was pointed out to him by others. If it didn't offend him at the time, how come it's such a big deal later?

I'm not saying that such abuse should be condoned, but this case seems to be manufactured.

[Maydup]

They might as well fine him 25p, it means as little. Complete waste of time.

[bazwillrun]

"If it didn't offend him at the time, how come it's such a big deal later?

I'm not saying that such abuse should be condoned, but this case seems to be manufactured. "

Its another example of the self righteous lefties on another witch-hunt.

JT is quite a hated player but I hope he is found not guilty of this ridiculous trumped up charge.

[jno]

if he broke the law shouldn't he be punished?

He's charged with a public order offence. It doesn't matter if Ferdinand heard him.

[Gromit]

Boxtops

It is not Ferdinand who complained or is prosecuting him. He is there as a witness for the prosecution. It is an offence to shout racist abuse regardless of whether who it was aimed at hears the abuse or is bothered by it.

[sp1814]

boxtops - think of it this way - say if you were at a party and someone with a video camera called your wife a slapper, but you didn't hear it at the time. Upon seeing that video, would you shrug your shoulders and say nothing?

I think the same goes for this situation.

By the way, i can't tell from your login name if you are male for female, but if you are a woman, please swap the word 'slapper' for an equally insulting word for a man - such as 'Jeremy Clarson'.

[sp1814]

Ahem male or female.

[jno]

ooooh wash your mouth out with soap and water, sp1814

[nungate]

Presumably the magistrates have all been checked to ensure they are not Arsenal fans.......................

[ELVIS68]

If you called someone an effing black c### in any other profession you'd get the sack, why won't he?

[sir.prize]

ELVIS - because it hasn't been proved that he did it.

[boxtops]

I take your point - and sp, I'm female. Yes, I get your drift.

[Maydup]

But you said "if he was found guilty he could be fined £2,500" sir.prize.

Agree with Elvis

[jake-the-peg]

Well Elvis - only if the company thinks they're dispensible

It's pretty clear this isn't about money

[ELVIS68]

At the time Terry claimed that he said the words F.B.C but with "Oi Anton I never called you a" infront of them?

I can't see him getting away with that unless the judge and jury are Chelsea fans

[sp1814]

There's something that seems a little 'off' with both the persecution argument, and the defence one.

If someone accused you of using some racist/sexist/homophobic epithet, you wouldn't repeat it in your denial, would you? You'd say, "Oi Ferdinand, I didn't call you that".

It just seems...counter-intuitive.

However, you can also argue that Mr Terry would be mental to actually call him that within earshot of other players and tv cameras.

All very confusing.

Still, at least the prosecution was held off until after Euro 2012, so John and the rest of the team could concentrate on their gam...

Oh...