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John Terry Racism Trial: What the Verdict Means for Chelsea's Captain

Dan Renfro@danrenfroX.com LogoCorrespondent IIIJuly 14, 2012

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09:  Chelsea FC football player John Terry arrives at Westminster Magistrates court to stand trial for allegedly racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, on July 9, 2012 in London, England. The former England captain allegedly made racist comments to Queens Park Rangers defender Ferdinand during a match on October 23rd last year, at Queens Park Rangers' ground, Loftus Road, in west London. (Photo by Neil Mockford/Getty Images)
Neil Mockford/Getty Images

John Terry is ready to lead Chelsea once again. He was found innocent of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, according to BBC News.

Essentially, the court could not determine whether or not Terry's offensive language was used as an insult or not. Given the severity of the accusation, the court needed to be 100 percent sure, and it wasn't.

Accordingly, Terry was found innocent, and his name is clear.

While the FA could be sitting in some hot water for stripping Terry's captaincy (which led to Fabio Capello's resignation), Mr. Chelsea is sitting just fine.

A lot of people at Chelsea would've stood behind him, regardless of the decision. However, if he was found guilty, it would've been very tough for the club to keep him as its captain. Fortunately, Roberto Di Matteo didn't have to worry about that issue. Terry was found innocent, and Chelsea can start getting ready for the season with the rightful captain in charge.

For Terry, this was just another situation where he managed to escape without ramifications. He's been in trouble in the past, but he has always managed to come out just fine. Whether it's an incident at a bar, taking money from a report or sleeping with a teammate's girlfriend, every Terry controversy remains "alleged."

Without proof, Terry avoids serious ramifications. Sure, the media grills him, but that doesn't bother Terry one bit. He just wants to live his life and win trophies. And so far, he's done a pretty good job at that.

The verdict is just one more bounce that went Terry's way. Ultimately, that's how we will remember his off-field issues: He always managed to get back on the field, wearing the Chelsea captain band.