John Terry not guilty of racism

In what can only be described as an extra ordinary event, Chelsea’s captain has been cleared of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

Terry did not deny he used the words ‘fuck off, fuck off ...fucking black cunt, fucking nobhead’ but argued ‘fuck off, fuck off ...fucking black cunt’ , was a question, not an insult.

Why you wouldn’t say , ‘I didn’t say you fucking black cunt’ or at least seen to be making a questioning gesture is difficult to fathom.

What is clear from this and other incidents in football this season is that when it comes to race football is in a poor place. Racism on the field and racism off the field has been a feature throughout the premiership last season.

Furthermore, the lack of Black managers in top flight football in contrast to one third of players players being Black highlights a persistent race inequality in the middle and higher levels of football.

Football both on and off the field will not change until Black footballers collectively demand it. Black sports men in America playing in the NBA and NFL collectively joined forces to demand change. As a result of their actions there are many more Black managers and other senior people in the game.

Simon Woolley