PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle: John Terry ban dilutes FA stance on racism

Clarke Carlisle: John Terry ban dilutes FA stance on racism

Oct 7, 2012 5:27:00 PM

The York City defender says the Chelsea captain should have been more harshly punished after he was given a four-match ban for using insulting words to Anton Ferdinand

PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle believes John Terry's four-match ban undermines the Football Association's stance on tackling racism.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was given an eight-match suspension last season after being found guilty of using racist language towards Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

But Carlisle insists banning Terry for just four matches for using abusive and insulting words towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand sends out the wrong message.

"The Luis Suarez ban sent out a strong message that racism isn't tolerated in the game," Carlisle told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Diluting that with this four-match ban almost undermines the initial message."

Terry has until 18 October to appeal his four-match suspension as well as his £220,000 fine.

But Clarke wants a rehabilitation programme to be put into action in addition to any ban for a racism offence, and he believes Terry should be forced to contribute if he decides not to contest his punishment.

Carlisle added: "If part of their integration is actively partaking in the anti-discrimination campaigns, in the seminars that go on, not only will they benefit from the information that's shown in these seminars, but also it shows that they do show some remorse for their actions.

"It is also a willingness to contribute to the campaigns moving forward so that other people are aware of the message that's being sent out.

"If he doesn't contest this decision and an appeal isn't forthcoming it would do John Terry's image a lot of good if he was seen to be contributing to these sort of campaigns.

"It would also further affirm the message that this is something that we stand for in football."

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