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race row

Terry dismisses racism 'misunderstanding'

Chelsea captain says he is “saddened” by the suggestion that he racially abused QPR’s Anton Ferdinand yesterday.

JOHN TERRY MOVED quickly last night to distance himself from allegations that he had racially abused Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat against QPR.

TV cameras captured a heated exchange between the two defenders in the closing minutes of yesterday’s ill-tempered affair, forcing the Chelsea captain to issue a statement on what he said was a “misunderstanding.”

According to Terry, the row flared up when he mistakenly thought that Ferdinand had accused him of using a racist insult, and that the video footage merely showed him angrily denying that.

Both players spoke after the game, Terry said, and the QPR centre-half made it clear that he was not accusing his opponent of anything of the sort.

“I thought Anton was accusing me of using a racist slur against him,” said Terry. “I responded aggressively, saying that I never used that term. I would never say such a thing, and I’m saddened that people would think so.”

“I have known Anton for a long time and spoke to him about it after the game and there was no problem between us.

I congratulated him on their win. He has not accused me of any wrongful remark. It was clear it was all a misunderstanding at the time. After the result today, I am saddened to be dealing with these wrongful allegations.

“I am the proud captain of one of the most internationally diverse teams in the Premier League and I absolutely believe that there is no place for racism in sport and indeed in any walk of life.”

The incident comes just eight days after Manchester United defender Patrice Evra accused Liverpool’s Luis Suarez of repeatedly using racist terms during the sides’ meeting at Anfield last weekend.

An FA investigation into Evra’s claims is ongoing.

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