How plausible do we find John Terry's defense?

[Condover]

That he was only repeating words Anton Ferdinand has accused him of saying.

I can't imagine saying those words ever. I'd be very upset to be accused of saying them, but I wouldn't repeat them in my denial, but then I'm not John Terry....

Narked,

WOuld love to know which football grounds you attend?

Sorry, Raeday - I'm not talking for you at all - to you, maybe? Yes I do get 'motivated' about this stuff, and struggle to be 'cool' about it. IYSWIM.

Dont apologise to me.

I'm off for a game of fifa against my racist (language using) neighbour, I'm trying to change things at grass roots level!

Not joking by the way.

Raeday.I did not support John Terry. I support free speech. If Someone chooses to insult me or anyone else it is up to them. I'm very uncomfortable with a person going to court because they have called my husband a BC. he is big enough to handle it and so was Anton Ferdinand as he himself said "I'm a big man! I can handle it" (in the changing rooms after the alleged incident). Why on earth did he pursue this prosecution?

I have said enough on the matter.

John Terry was found not guilty. Well there's a surprise!

Premier league - White Hart lane most recently. What used to be commonplace in the early 90s - adding the word black to any insult shouted at a non-white player- has gone completely. The general abuse towards players isn't what it used to be either. There are signs everywhere encouraging fans to text a number to report improper behaviour eg racist language to the stewards. You still hear 'the c word' but it tends to be eg 'cunting ball' rather than directed at a person.

I am aware though that many of the racist scum that have been kicked out of the premier league grounds have migrated to lower league/non league clubs.

okay, I withdraw my apology...grass roots level is good, do it a lot myself! Am going to engage with my non-racist washing machine that doesn't seem to work for anyone, no matter what their skin colour.

Lepan. you cannot articulate your argument better than me. The real point is that I do not want to tear you to shreds. I have made my position VERY CLEAR. Do not cal me a racist one more time.

Don't try to bully me for being a Christian, I have probably more morals than you will ever have in your life time.
I believe every man is innocent until proven guilty.

Today the verdict was NOT GUILTY, That was a court verdict and not mine.

yes NR - the whole culture has changed dramatically. When I played (up to a good level) the repsonse to a black player from the referee on a complaint of racism, which happened a lot, was 'get on with the game, son'. Not any more.

But society has shifted for the better. And it's good that someone of JT and Suarez's position re youngsters can be held to account for their actions.

It's very kind of you to not tear me to shreds, ironman. I appreciate that.

Washing awaits.

Yes and so does mine.

The terraces can be still be an unforgiving place for those of us that do not wish to encounter abuse of any kind toward anyone NR, whether it be aimed at an individual or 'Munich' chants etc.

The reaction from the spurs crowd when Fabrice collapsed was something to behold and is something I hope we do not forget, I know I will not.

I'm not pro nor anti Terry or Ferdinand, as much as they are overpaid idiots, something put them there and to as much as they should be an example to all, I do feel the blame lies elsewhere.

Wish they'd put the same amount of effort into eradicating other forms of discrimination from football - misogyny and homophobia are still pervading. Incidents of violence, including domestic violence, skyrocket when there are big matches.

yes, edam, I did say somewhere up there that insults toward women should also be a 'hate crime', which it isn't. Women/girls are not exactly a minority.

'freedom of speech' - ironman, this would be fine IF..the cost and hurt was equal in a way. But it isn't. Verbally abusing someone for their personal characteristic outside of male, white, straight, able-bodied etc comes with a heavy value-judgement. And having 'permission' to abuse in that way, without any legal remedy, means that those people are viewed as 'less' as people.

if you can't see that at all then it's a bit of a problem.

This reminds me of the scene in 'life of brian' where all the women were pretending to be men....except here its racist white 'blokes' pretending to be white women with mixed race children.

Ironman. You're ok with people calling your kids and DH black cunts then yeah? Long as they don't hit them?

Ok.

That's one of the inconsistencies I can't square, Amber. If you live with, have children and witness as a consequence the abuse of non-white people that happens..and then still be so fervent and dedicated in defense of someone accused of racism, and defend the right to racially abuse, and attend a trial of someone so accused........something isn't adding up.

Nope Pan its just not adding up is it?

Odd thread!

ironman, I'm going to say this in bold, because although you were in the court room, you don't seem to have grasped a fundamental fact about the case.

Anton Ferdinand did not make a complaint to the Police. An off-duty policeman who watched the game made the complaint which the Police investigated. The Crown Prosecution Service decided to take the case to court. Anton Ferdinand had no say in the matter

Hang on a minute,

I'm a white 'bloke' with a mix raced child, how on earth has this become a gender issue?

Fuckin' ell Pan,

"outside of male, white, straight, able-bodied etc comes with a heavy value-judgement. And having 'permission' to abuse in that way, without any legal remedy, means that those people are viewed as 'less' as people.

You for real?

Raeday - I've missed the gender issue bit, other than some doubt is being cast upon ironman's honesty, with good evidential reason.

is she not Anton then?

erm..yes, Raeday. Entirely for real. If you quoted all of what I'd said would have been better though.

be aware that male, any race, straight, whatever bodied persons are amongst the most discriminated within our society at present.

In the most non confrontational text forum way, I would dare you to challenge the above.

I fear Iron maybe an ambulance watcher.

'be aware that male, any race, straight, whatever bodied persons are amongst the most discriminated within our society at present'

Please tell us more Raeday