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A Retirement on Principle (Who Knew He Had Any?)

Posted on September 24, 2012 9:13 pm

So the saga of on-again, off-again England Captain, John Terry has come to end.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride over the last few years.

First there was the infamous “super injunction”, taken out to block reports of an extramarital affair. Upon the overturning of the injunction, the British media informed us with sadistic glee that the reported “other woman”, was the ex-girlfriend of his England and Chelsea teammate, as well as his good friend, Wayne Bridge.

The press and public were up in arms. It’s true to say that the circumstances of the reported affair were sleazy to say the least. It appeared that not only was he cheating on his wife with his mates ex, but that he’d been lending a “supportive” ear to Bridge in the meantime. However, I’ve never agreed that the England captaincy, or even England selection, should be awarded based on moral fiber. Indeed, I fear that if we laid bare all our England team’s private indiscretions (like any teams full of wealthy young athletes) we’d struggle to find anybody pure as the driven snow. The tricky part though, is that Bridge was a potential call-up for the impending 2010 World Cup, with other friends in the squad. For this reason, Fabio Capello decided for professional reasons that it would be better to give the captaincy to someone else.

Terry said little about the situation. Perhaps he thought it better to say nothing and get on with his football.

In any case, after various injuries to replacement captains, Terry would eventually be reinstated sometime after the World Cup.

Fast forward to last season and the infamous Anton Ferdinand incident. From a legal standpoint, there was a case to be proven. Damning footage of Terry mouthing what appeared to be a racist insult was going viral. Complaints were made. Terry was arrested and charged with using racist language. The trial was scheduled for after Euro 2012. As we all recall, Fabio Capello made the reasonable decision to leave Terry as captain based on the fact that he was innocent until proven guilty. The FA, a significant time later in the face of yet more public opinion calling for the England captain to be a virginal white-knight, went over Capello’s head and once more Terry lost his captaincy. As far as we know, Terry elected not to get involved when Capello stated his irritation at the FA’s move to the Italian press. I’m not sure if there was much he could have done on the day of the meeting where Capello and the FA decided to part ways.

My personal thoughts at the time, were that upon finding out that the FA had gone over Capello’s head, would be to come out publically and voice my appreciation for Capello’s support, but in light of avoiding any upheaval to the England camp, I’d be turning in my captaincy until the case was resolved. Perhaps throw something in about still being dedicated to acting as one of multiple leaders on the pitch. At least something to curtail the rapidly increasing ugliness that threatened England’s Euro preparation and keep the manager in place.

Terry said little about the situation. Perhaps he thought it better to say nothing and get on with his football.

Then there was the 2012 Champions League final. Terry, in the semi-final second leg, was sent off for blatantly kneeing an opponent in the back. His initial reaction was to go to the media at halftime to protest his innocence, only to retract it when he realised quite how blatant the aggressive and needless foul had been.

Again, while I’m not a professional footballer, I like to think that pride, humility and a sense of responsibility would have caused me to let those that won the final be center of attention. Sure, overjoyed that my teammates had done me proud and got the job done in my absence, I’d have gone to collect my medal and celebrate. However, I certainly think I’d have enough class to have the captain on the night raise the trophy. If he were gracious enough to offer to raise it with me, that might be too big an experience to pass up. Terry however, went one better. Instead of letting the moment be about the team and their achievement, he decided not only to be front and center, but to suit up in his full kit, shin pads and all, like a ten-year-old mascot.

Not a hint to be found of remorse or apology for doing something stupid and irresponsible for needlessly costing the team a key player on the biggest night of Chelsea’s existence. He basked in the glory like it had all been down to him.

So now, Brave John Terry (JT to his friends and Steve McClaren) has finally decided to bring his England career to an end. Because he feels he’s getting too old? No. Because he feels he has nothing to contribute? Um…I very much doubt it. Because he wants to make way for a the next generation of England players? Apparently not.

No… the language he used to deliver news of his international retirement pointed heavily to principle. It’s not enough that England Manager, Roy Hodgson wants him to stay on. It’s not enough that the press seem to still be deluded by the notion that Terry is or ever has been, among the best defenders in the World. He has been slighted by the FA, for whom like so many, Terry’s legal defence doesn’t ring true. The defence, for those who’ve been living in a cave, far far away from football (hello to you, Rafa Benitez), was that while Terry did utter the words (which I’ll paraphrase to avoid offence) “you effing, black Liam Stacey”, it was actually preceded by the phrase “do you think I called you a…”.

See! He wasn’t saying anything racist at all! Shocked by the suggestion of an opponent, he chose not to say “what?”, “did I hear you right?”, “I didn’t say that!”, but “Oi Anton, do you think I called you a… etc”.

Sounds a bit iffy, but it’s technically possible and it couldn’t be proven otherwise, hence the acquittal. The FA however, only needs to base its decision on what it thinks is most probable and are pressing ahead. So Big JT has decided that while he kept nice and quiet while rumours of his infidelity threatened team chemistry, or while his manager fell on his sword with a major Tournament approaching, NOW it’s suddenly time to get principled.

But maybe I’m being too cynical. Maybe this is a new, principled, ethical John Terry, who has finally decided that it’s time make a sacrifice for something he believes in. Though it’s odd that if he feels so strongly about these FA charges, which have been in the pipeline for several months, that he waited until after the last major tournament the aging defender will probably be selected for.

I guess we can look to the future now. Go back to the dream of that elusive second England World Cup. I just pray that if we somehow win one in the next forty years, it’s raised exclusively by someone involved in the match and not a wrinkly John Terry in full England Kit.