Lord Triesman has said that Chelsea defender John Terry has ‘damaged’ the club’s image internationally.
John Terry was recently handed a four match ban and a fine of £220,000 fine, after he was found guilty of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, by the FA. The punishment handed over to Terry was deemed to be too lenient (and was criticized by PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle) as Luis Suarez received a 8 match suspension and a bigger fine for a similar offence. Chelsea have also been criticized for not handling this issue strictly enough and Triesman believes that this shows the club in poor light.
Triesman has criticized the club and the player for neglecting their moral responsibility towards society. The former FA Chairman believes that if a similar incident would have taken place in any business corporation, the employee would have been dealt with more strictly.
“Large numbers of people around the world, especially black people, will read about what has happened. And they will wonder how on earth did Chelsea allow that?
“The club’s international reputation has suffered. Its brand has been damaged.
“They should be saying it isn’t acceptable as a standard of behaviour.
“If I was a Chelsea fan I wouldn’t be happy that my club was getting this kind of negative coverage.
“If it happened with any other business corporation, like Coca-Cola say, an employee would have been in serious trouble with that organisation.” – Triesman was quoted in the Mirror.
“Footballers are role models.
“When I was a referee in the 1970s the kids would copy the actions of their heroes they’d seen on televison the night before.
“So it’s not true to say that what stars do on the pitch won’t influence youngsters. I think clubs like Chelsea – and Liverpool during the Luis Suarez saga – have responsibilities to the next generation. Clubs should tell their very highly-paid employees what standards are expected of them.”
Triesman also cited the example of David Beckham, and stated how the former England captain was aware of his ‘obligations’ towards society.
“When I was at the FA I had dealings with David” said Triesman.
“I was so impressed with the way he put his celebrity to great cultural use. He knew it really does matter what the England captain does. He knew about the obligations and responsibilities that came with the job.
“Another very positive role model is Mo Farah.
“What a great example he, and so many other Olympians and Paralympians, set during the summer. It was a great six weeks – and it is hard not to contrast some of the football incidents with the Games.
“I think Terry should apologise and accept it’s not a good standard. I just don’t believe in this day and age that anybody can think that it’s OK, and that you don’t owe an apology for something like that.”
John Terry is yet to decide on whether he will appeal against the FA’s decision. Pressure has been growing on the former England captain to not appeal against the rulings.
David Beckham had an affair! How does that make him a Role Model? Great example to set to the young!
the idiots from the fa not terry o and idiots who write about it and havnt got the balls to say the fa got it wrong again that weve negative comments come from shallow writters
Well as a Chelsea fan in an African country I disagree with Triesman. Terry has been a fantastic captain. Triesman is assuming Terry used the words wrongly when the courts say there is no evidence for it.
Bollocks! Who the F are you and what does your opinion matter?
who cares about what some senile man says. Chelsea fans all rally behind terry. captain. legend.
I totally agree with him. But what he doesn’t know is that Chelsea as a club knows that John Terry would never such a thing. The club believed in their player and so should other corporation. He should understand that a court found him not guilty of the ill-moral behaviour as alleged. would advise him not to bear any grudge with John Terry. Is it not enough he retired from international football and you want the club to lose an asset based on an issue both parties are not sure of took place. Please we should allow John be and do his job. He is the most admired leader on pitch and people should appreciate him for that.
I’m still surprised people defend John terry. He’s got a history of bad behavior and he really doesn’t seem to care. The idea that he is a good captain is ridiculous when considering his off field issues.
He is a role model and doing the things he has done are in no way a good example to set
Spurs supporter. ’nuff said.
This what triesman is bullshit and stupid. Dont sell your idea here. That is what you think and you are not supporting Chelsea by the way. We know how to judge things. We are not stupid. I am from Malaysia and i am behind John Terry.T
If i culd get the opportunity to speak to triesman in public or private,i culd only tell him:fuck your self cos nobdy cares abt ur wretchd opinion…Who made such an idiot a “lord” in the first place,i mean our society is going bizzare with people with febble minds influencing the society…The cunt actualy had the balls to compare Cfc with coca cola,such a clueless man…Chelsea’s reputation is non of ur biznes,not as if u eva suportd chelsea or lovd terry….Jst die with ur opinion nd mind u,the blacks arnt against him,the blacks are solidly behind him cos we knw he is a hero nd a legend.U cant claim nt to be a unitd fan,though i equaly knw the writer of this article is as gullible as an average lebanese.The writer was obviously advertising his stupidity…..4 crying out loud folks,if u dnt love chelsea,they are many options on hw to end ur miserable life,.Simply go hang ur self…Chelsea love J.T nd wil suport him any time,any where nd u 4ukn lord tiredman cnt even do a shit abt.Up cfc.
triesman is talking nonsense.What disrepute?
The fact is that Ferdinand should mind his relegating club not looking the players’ mouths while on the ball.
Matt are you not a role model to your own generation? If you live a perfect life without stain, be the first to throw a stone at him.