John Terry verdict draws near!

Should former England captain and Chelsea footballer John Terry be found not guilty of charges pertaining to racial aggravation there will be an audible sigh from more than the defendant himself. The non-selection of Rio Ferdinand during the Euros led to professional footballers and national coaches speculating that Ferdinand was left out of the national squad for reasons other than football. Despite the England team manager's protestations it certainly seemed that there was no rational explanation by Hodgson for the exclusion of Rio Ferdinand from his England squad.


 Hodgson’s continued reluctance to include Rio ( despite the injury of Gary Cahill during the euro’s) seemed certainly suspicious – a great example of institutional racism unfolding before the eyes of the nation.


 The verdict in the John Terry case will be returned today and there is no doubt there is a lot riding on the outcome. Terry’s denial of the charges has amounted to as much as a little miscommunication by the Chelsea stalwart. However, with Doreen Lawrence lending her support to Anton Ferdinand and his family so publicly there is little reason to believe that this case is anything other than a serious historical moment for UK race laws.
 The UK prides itself on justice, liberty and the right to be presumed innocent until found guilty. If John Terry is convicted in the next 60 minutes the response of the footballing community, FA and the mainstream public will be equally telling about the UK’s views on racist criminal offences.