IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHAT WAS SAID': CHIEF MAGISTRATE SAYS THERE WAS TOO MUCH DOUBT TO CONVICT FOOTBALLER OF RACIAL ABUSE
Fresh charges: Following the conclusion of the court case the FA is set to reopen its own inquiry to decide whether Terry and Ferdinand should face charges of bringing the game into disrepute
Fresh charges: Following the conclusion of the court case the FA is set to reopen its own inquiry to decide whether Terry and Ferdinand should face charges of bringing the game into disrepute
Howard Riddle's judgment:
'The prosecution has presented a strong case. There is no doubt that John Terry uttered the words 'f****** black c***' at Anton Ferdinand.
'When he did so he was angry. Mr Ferdinand says that he did not precipitate this comment by himself accusing Mr Terry of calling him a black c***.
'Even with all the help the court has received from television footage, expert lip readers, witnesses and indeed counsel, it is impossible to be sure exactly what were the words spoken by Mr Terry at the relevant time.
'It is impossible to be sure exactly what was said to him at the relevant time by Mr Ferdinand. It is not only that all of this happened in a matter of seconds.
'For a small part of the relevant time, the camera's view of Mr Terry was obstructed. We do not have a clear camera view of Mr Ferdinand, sufficient to pick up exactly what he said.
'No matter how serious the incident looks now, and how crucial the exact wording is now, at the time it was secondary to the key witnesses. They are professional footballers in the final minutes of a game where the result mattered to them both.
'They would naturally concentrate on the game more than on exactly what had been said to them or by them. I have assessed John Terry as a credible witness.
'Weighing all the evidence together, I think it is highly unlikely that Mr Ferdinand accused Mr Terry on the pitch of calling him a black c***.
'However I accept that it is possible that Mr Terry believed at the time, and believes now, that such an accusation was made. The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong.
'In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty.'
Edited version. For the full transcript, click here. Warning strong language
'The prosecution has presented a strong case. There is no doubt that John Terry uttered the words 'f****** black c***' at Anton Ferdinand.
'When he did so he was angry. Mr Ferdinand says that he did not precipitate this comment by himself accusing Mr Terry of calling him a black c***.
'Even with all the help the court has received from television footage, expert lip readers, witnesses and indeed counsel, it is impossible to be sure exactly what were the words spoken by Mr Terry at the relevant time.
'It is impossible to be sure exactly what was said to him at the relevant time by Mr Ferdinand. It is not only that all of this happened in a matter of seconds.
'For a small part of the relevant time, the camera's view of Mr Terry was obstructed. We do not have a clear camera view of Mr Ferdinand, sufficient to pick up exactly what he said.
'No matter how serious the incident looks now, and how crucial the exact wording is now, at the time it was secondary to the key witnesses. They are professional footballers in the final minutes of a game where the result mattered to them both.
'They would naturally concentrate on the game more than on exactly what had been said to them or by them. I have assessed John Terry as a credible witness.
'Weighing all the evidence together, I think it is highly unlikely that Mr Ferdinand accused Mr Terry on the pitch of calling him a black c***.
'However I accept that it is possible that Mr Terry believed at the time, and believes now, that such an accusation was made. The prosecution evidence as to what was said by Mr Ferdinand at this point is not strong.
'In those circumstances, there being a doubt, the only verdict the court can record is one of not guilty.'
Edited version. For the full transcript, click here. Warning strong language
Key moment: Terry and QPR's Anton Ferdinand clash during the Barclays Premier League match at Loftus Road
Shell-shocked: Anton Ferdinand's mother, Janice (right), looks stunned as she leaves court after the ruling
Hakuna maoni:
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