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Carlo Ancelotti Defends Chelsea Captain John Terry
Blues manager backs skipper over tabloid claims...
21-Dec-2009 1:43:11 AM
Manager Carlo Ancelotti has added his voice to Chelsea's defence of captain John Terry following claims in the Sunday papers that he had accepted £10,000 for a secret tour of the club's Cobham training ground.
The club has already stated its confidence in Terry, and Ancelotti took time during his press conference after Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Ham to express his support for the England central defender.
Ancelotti was reportedly not consulted about the alleged tour, but said he had already discussed the matter and did not doubt his captain's word or his focus on Sunday's match.
"This is not correct. This is not true," he told the Press Association.
"The club, me, the players, have a lot of confidence in John Terry and John Terry did nothing wrong.
"He was very quiet, very calm, very concentrated for the game.
"No problem."
Asked directly whether Terry had told him the story was false, Ancelotti added: "Yes. I have a lot of confidence in my captain."
More concerning for the Chelsea manager was a lacklustre performance from the league leaders, who nonetheless extended the gap at the top to four points on champions Manchester United.
Chelsea had Frank Lampard's cool head to thank for their point, the midfielder finally scoring at the third attempt after referee Mike Dean had twice blown his whistle for encroachment.
The penalty itself was contentious too, as Matthew Upson appeared to make a legitimate tackle before Dean's assistant signalled a foul.
West Ham had earlier taken a first half lead through a spot-kick of their own, converted by Alessandro Diamanti.
Edward Pearce
The club has already stated its confidence in Terry, and Ancelotti took time during his press conference after Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Ham to express his support for the England central defender.
Ancelotti was reportedly not consulted about the alleged tour, but said he had already discussed the matter and did not doubt his captain's word or his focus on Sunday's match.
"This is not correct. This is not true," he told the Press Association.
"The club, me, the players, have a lot of confidence in John Terry and John Terry did nothing wrong.
"He was very quiet, very calm, very concentrated for the game.
"No problem."
Asked directly whether Terry had told him the story was false, Ancelotti added: "Yes. I have a lot of confidence in my captain."
More concerning for the Chelsea manager was a lacklustre performance from the league leaders, who nonetheless extended the gap at the top to four points on champions Manchester United.
Chelsea had Frank Lampard's cool head to thank for their point, the midfielder finally scoring at the third attempt after referee Mike Dean had twice blown his whistle for encroachment.
The penalty itself was contentious too, as Matthew Upson appeared to make a legitimate tackle before Dean's assistant signalled a foul.
West Ham had earlier taken a first half lead through a spot-kick of their own, converted by Alessandro Diamanti.
Edward Pearce
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