Post by Macmoish on Nov 28, 2011 22:54:41 GMT
Guardian/Dominic Fifield
Police interview Chelsea's John Terry over racial abuse allegations
• Terry denies racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand
• QPR and Chelsea players also questioned by police
Hammersmith and Fulham police have interviewed John Terry under caution as part of their investigation into allegations that he racially abused Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's defeat by Queens Park Rangers last month.
A statement was taken from Terry in Surrey last Friday, 24 hours before Chelsea's home game against Wolves, as the police continue to compile accounts of the incident which took place late in the derby at Loftus Road on 23 October. It remains to be seen whether charges are brought against the 30-year-old England captain, who is also the subject of inquiries by the Football Association into the flashpoint.
Terry denies racially abusing the QPR defender but has already admitted using offensive words, claiming he had shouted them as a denial having been under the assumption that Ferdinand had accused him of making a racist remark. He welcomed the announcement of the FA's inquiry as an opportunity to clear his name, only for the Metropolitan police to follow suit as a result of an emailed complaint from a member of the public.
As part of the inquiry, players at Chelsea and QPR have been interviewed, with confirmation now that Terry has also been contacted. "A 30-year-old man was interviewed under caution on Friday 25 November," said a Scotland Yard spokesman. "He was not arrested." The Crown Prosecution Service is understood to have received files on the investigation from the police, but more are expected to be lodged before any decision is made as to whether charges are to be pressed.
Terry is suspended for the Carling Cup quarter-final against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, with Chelsea considering whether they will recall their Spain international Fernando Torres to the starting lineup. The assistant manager, Roberto Di Matteo, said the hierarchy retain faith in the £50m forward, who has started the last four games on the bench. "We can see the player has talent, the way he trains every day, the effort he puts in," said Di Matteo. "That's how you assess him. I have no doubt he will score goals for us. He's done it this season: he started very well. It's normal that, during a long season, you'll have a week or two when you're not at your best. But I have faith in him."
The Italian is to consider his own position at the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season after admitting he retains ambitions to be a top-flight manager in his own right having briefly tasted life in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion last term. Di Matteo stressed he is enjoying life working as a key member of André Villas-Boas's technical staff despite the club's difficult start to the season, having apparently struck up a close professional relationship and friendship with the Portuguese.
Yet the 41-year-old, who was sacked by the Baggies in February despite having led them back into the Premier League the previous season, intends to return to management himself at some stage having attracted tentative interest from prospective employers already this season. "There has been some contact [from other clubs]," said Di Matteo. "People asking about my availability, but I've kind of declined because I'm very happy here. It's a great club and I'm very happy with what I'm doing. I was flattered, obviously.
"That's not tempting right now. Now I'm here and focused on winning something with Chelsea, doing my best for André. What happens in the future, I don't know. One day you're here, the next day you don't know. But I still have ambitions. Absolutely. We're all ambitious here. André is. The players are determined and ambitious. They've tasted the feeling of winning trophies, and they're hungry for more of that
www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/28/john-terry-police-interview?newsfeed=true
Police interview Chelsea's John Terry over racial abuse allegations
• Terry denies racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand
• QPR and Chelsea players also questioned by police
Hammersmith and Fulham police have interviewed John Terry under caution as part of their investigation into allegations that he racially abused Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's defeat by Queens Park Rangers last month.
A statement was taken from Terry in Surrey last Friday, 24 hours before Chelsea's home game against Wolves, as the police continue to compile accounts of the incident which took place late in the derby at Loftus Road on 23 October. It remains to be seen whether charges are brought against the 30-year-old England captain, who is also the subject of inquiries by the Football Association into the flashpoint.
Terry denies racially abusing the QPR defender but has already admitted using offensive words, claiming he had shouted them as a denial having been under the assumption that Ferdinand had accused him of making a racist remark. He welcomed the announcement of the FA's inquiry as an opportunity to clear his name, only for the Metropolitan police to follow suit as a result of an emailed complaint from a member of the public.
As part of the inquiry, players at Chelsea and QPR have been interviewed, with confirmation now that Terry has also been contacted. "A 30-year-old man was interviewed under caution on Friday 25 November," said a Scotland Yard spokesman. "He was not arrested." The Crown Prosecution Service is understood to have received files on the investigation from the police, but more are expected to be lodged before any decision is made as to whether charges are to be pressed.
Terry is suspended for the Carling Cup quarter-final against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, with Chelsea considering whether they will recall their Spain international Fernando Torres to the starting lineup. The assistant manager, Roberto Di Matteo, said the hierarchy retain faith in the £50m forward, who has started the last four games on the bench. "We can see the player has talent, the way he trains every day, the effort he puts in," said Di Matteo. "That's how you assess him. I have no doubt he will score goals for us. He's done it this season: he started very well. It's normal that, during a long season, you'll have a week or two when you're not at your best. But I have faith in him."
The Italian is to consider his own position at the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season after admitting he retains ambitions to be a top-flight manager in his own right having briefly tasted life in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion last term. Di Matteo stressed he is enjoying life working as a key member of André Villas-Boas's technical staff despite the club's difficult start to the season, having apparently struck up a close professional relationship and friendship with the Portuguese.
Yet the 41-year-old, who was sacked by the Baggies in February despite having led them back into the Premier League the previous season, intends to return to management himself at some stage having attracted tentative interest from prospective employers already this season. "There has been some contact [from other clubs]," said Di Matteo. "People asking about my availability, but I've kind of declined because I'm very happy here. It's a great club and I'm very happy with what I'm doing. I was flattered, obviously.
"That's not tempting right now. Now I'm here and focused on winning something with Chelsea, doing my best for André. What happens in the future, I don't know. One day you're here, the next day you don't know. But I still have ambitions. Absolutely. We're all ambitious here. André is. The players are determined and ambitious. They've tasted the feeling of winning trophies, and they're hungry for more of that
www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/nov/28/john-terry-police-interview?newsfeed=true
