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Terry to keep Chelsea captaincy

It is understood that John Terry will remain as Chelsea captain despite receiving a four-match ban for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand. His boss Roberto Di Matteo had refused to confirm if he was still club captain.

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Chelsea boss won't say if John Terry is still club captain

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has refused to confirm whether John Terry is still club captain:

Terry yesterday decided not to appeal against a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

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Reading striker 'let down' by Kick It Out refuses to wear charity's t-shirt

Jason Roberts is unhappy with Kick It Out's response to the John Terry and Luis Suarez incidents. Credit: Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport

Reading striker Jason Roberts insists he will not wear a 'Kick It Out' T-shirt for the equality group's annual week of action after the racial abuse incidents of the last year.

Roberts told BBC Sport that Kick It Out have not been hardline in their response to the John Terry and Luis Suarez abuse incidents:

"I think people feel let down by what used to be called 'Let's Kick Racism Out of Football'. People don't feel like they have been strong enough."

The player's decision was later criticised by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I have to disagree with Jason Roberts. I think he is making the wrong point," the Scot said.

Kick It Out chairman criticises Chelsea for keeping Terry punishment secret

Chelsea have been criticised by football's equality group Kick It Out for keeping their punishment of John Terry secret.

Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, said that stance could damage Chelsea in the eyes of those people who had been waiting many months to see how the club handled the case.

Ouseley told the Press Association:

I believe Chelsea need to be open about the action they have taken.

A lot of people will be dissatisfied that Chelsea have not been much more up front about the standards they set and the values they have.

If they are not prepared to say, it will further damage the trust of those people who still have suspicions about Chelsea's sincerity in dealing with this matter.

I do welcome what they have said, but they need to be saying more and doing more if they are going to win back the confidence of people who have lost trust in them rather than to sit back and be silent.

FA outlines social media policy for players and staff

An FA video explaining its policy on social media conduct prohibits the following breaches:

  • Any comment about an match officials prior to a game
  • Any implication of bias about anyone at any time
  • Questioning the integrity of another participant
  • Making personal or offensive comments
  • Any comment that causes "detriment to the Game"

Former England full-back Graeme Le Saux explains in the video that the FA policy applies to social networks including (but not limited to) Twitter, Facebook and blogs.

Ashley Cole fined £90,000 for Twitter comment

Ashley Cole apologised for a tweet which insulted the FA. Credit: Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport

England left-back Ashley Cole has been fined £90,000 over his foul-mouthed Twitter attack on the Football Association.

The FA today confirmed the fine after Cole had admitted a charge of making a Twitter comment that was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

The Chelsea defender had labelled the FA a "bunch of t***s" on the social networking site after an independent regulatory commission of the governing body investigating the John Terry racial abuse case had cast doubt on Cole's evidence.

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Chelsea: John Terry's decision not to appeal is 'correct'

John Terry's club Chelsea said it supports its captain's decision not to appeal his FA fine and suspension.

A statement said:

Chelsea Football Club believes John Terry has made the correct decision by not appealing against the FA judgment relating to language he used at the QPR match last October.

Chelsea also appreciates, and supports, John's full apology for the language he used.

The club firmly believes such language is not acceptable and fell below the standards expected of John as a Chelsea player.

The club added that it had also taken its own disciplinary action but the details would remain confidential:

The Board has conducted its own investigation into the matter, and considered the various issues involved. The Board has taken further disciplinary action in addition to the four-match suspension and £220,000 fine imposed by the FA.

In accordance with our long-standing policy, that disciplinary action will remain confidential.

John Terry statement apologises for language used

John Terry issued a statement through his management company in which he apologised for the language he used at Loftus Road:

After careful consideration, I have decided not to appeal against the FA judgment.

I want to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone for the language I used in the game against Queens Park Rangers last October.

Although I’m disappointed with the FA judgment, I accept that the language I used, regardless of the context, is not acceptable on the football field or indeed in any walk of life.

As I stated in the criminal case, with the benefit of hindsight my language was clearly not an appropriate reaction to the situation for someone in my position.

My response was below the level expected by Chelsea Football Club, and by me, and it will not happen again.

Looking forward, I will continue to do my part in assisting the club to remove all types of discriminatory behaviour from football.

I am extremely grateful for the consistent support of Chelsea FC, the fans and my family.

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