PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle claims John Terry ban undermines racism fight

Professional Footballers' Association chairman Clark Carlisle is unimpressed by four-match ban given to John Terry

PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle believes the four-match ban given to John Terry has "undermined" the fight against racism.

The Chelsea captain was suspended last week and fined £220,000 for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in October of last year.

The four-game ban is half that given to Liverpool forward Luis Suarez for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra last season.

And Carlisle thinks that inconsistency sends out the wrong message at a time when anti-racism group Kick It Out is launching its Week of Action campaign.

"It has almost undermined the initial message that went out."
Clarke Carlisle

Carlisle said: "I think what we felt as an industry was that the Luis Suarez eight-match ban really did send out a strong message to the members of the union and the public at large that racism isn't tolerated in the game.

"To dilute that with this four-match ban, it has almost undermined the initial message that went out."

Terry has until October 18th to appeal his suspension and fine but Carlisle thinks the former England captain would be better served showing some remorse for his actions.

He 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 it also shows that they do show some remorse for their actions and a willingness to contribute to the campaigns moving forward so that other people are aware of the message that's being sent out.

"If (Terry) doesn't contest this decision and an appeal isn't forthcoming it would do (his) 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."