Carlo Ancelotti has said Chelsea retain complete confidence in John Terry despite allegations in a Sunday newspaper which, if proved, suggest he had accepted cash having been stung by undercover reporters. Yet senior figures within the Football Association are unimpressed that the England captain has exposed himself to another spate of potentially embarrassing accusations.
Chelsea released a statement today expressing their confidence that "at no time did John Terry ask for, or accept, any money" from a trio of undercover News of the World reporters who had filmed the defender, accompanied by a middleman called Tony Bruce, apparently arranging a behind-the-scenes tour of the club's training complex. Bruce, a known ticket tout, is shown in the video accepting a black folder from one of the reporters that allegedly contained £10,000 in £50 notes as a fee for the tour.
Ancelotti backed Chelsea's stance in the wake of the 1-1 draw at West Ham, though senior figures within the FA have been left unimpressed by the story coming, as it does, a little over a month after an email was circulated by a marketing company working on Terry's behalf and attempting to cash in on the player's status as England captain. The defender subsequently attempted to distance himself from that controversy yet, while there is no suggestion that the 29-year-old's position as captain is in doubt, Fabio Capello will seek to ascertain why, yet again, the centre-half has found himself in such a compromising position.
Terry spoke to Ancelotti today to explain the footage which had been shot in the club's Cobham canteen last Thursday while the Italian had apparently been dining on an adjoining table. The player is shown meeting a suited Bruce discussing conducting a tour for the reporters, posing as wealthy businessmen, though he claimed today that he had not sought to gain any money personally from the meeting. Ancelotti accepted that explanation. "Yes, yes, he told me it was untrue," said the Chelsea manager when asked whether Terry had accepted a £10,000 cash payment for the tour. "This is not correct. This is not true.
"I've not watched the video. I'm not interested. I have a lot of confidence in my captain, as do the club and the other players. John Terry did nothing wrong. He was not upset before the game [at West Ham]. He was very quiet, very calm before the game. It is not a problem. I think he's done his job recently. He has not always had the best performance but he puts in a good performance every game. Also today he played a good game against West Ham."
It is unclear as yet whether Chelsea are considering legal action against the allegations that appeared yesterday, though they do intend to undertake a review of security at their Cobham site in the wake of the story. "Chelsea hosts a large number of visitors at the training ground throughout the year, the majority of which are made up of club sponsors, our charity partners and supporters," said a spokesman. "The players play a big part in these visits and John Terry naturally has a leading role.
"John has also organised a number of visits for families with sick children as a result of personal correspondence. Contrary to media reports and the appearance of edited video, the club is confidentthat at no time did John Terry ask for, or accept any money in relation to visits to the training ground. Chelsea gives our players room to exercise their own discretion when contacted personally with regard to visits, and the club keeps security and access to the training ground and Stamford Bridge under constant review. As a result of the security breach we will be further reviewing access to our facilities and clamping down where there are gaps in the process."
Terry played in today's 1-1 draw at Upton Park, a result which extended their lead in the Premier League to four points courtesy of a controversial penalty from Frank Lampard just after the hour mark. The West Ham manager, Gianfranco Zola, queried the award of the spot-kick – by Mike Dean for a supposed foul by Matthew Upson on Daniel Sturridge – which then had to be taken three times with players consistently encroaching into the penalty area.
"It was harsh," said Zola, whose team remain 19th having edged a point clear of Portsmouth at the foot but arguably warranted more than a point. "The referee got it right in the first place, then the linesman put his flag up and he changed his mind. His first impression had been the right one, and he was better positioned than the linesman. He was closer to the incident and I wish he'd stuck by his original decision. But nothing should take away from the performance of my players. Their courage and bravery were magnificent."
