Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has no regrets about supporting John Terry over the last 12 months, despite the defender being found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
Terry was banned for four matches, starting with Saturday’s London derby at Tottenham, and fined STG220,000 ($A343,000) by an independent Football Association panel.
The former England centre-half has accepted the sanction and issued an apology for the language he used in the match at Loftus Road on October 23 last year.
Chelsea are taking their own internal disciplinary action, which is believed to constitute a fine although the club are keeping the details confidential.
It is understood Terry remains club captain.
Di Matteo admitted Terry’s actions had damaged Chelsea’s reputation but the club maintain they were right to stand by their player.
“The image of our club has suffered with this issue. There is no denying that,” Di Matteo said.
“We try to do everything in our power to make sure we maintain high standards. People make mistakes. He has apologised and he has been punished for the language that he used.
“We have followed the legal process very closely and supported our player. He has accepted the ban now and he has realised the language he used wasn’t acceptable.
“It is not like he is getting away with it. The FA have taken action against him and the club have taken action against him.”
Di Matteo said he believed the evidence Terry gave to Westminster Magistrates Court, namely that he was only repeating offensive words he thought Ferdinand had accused him of saying.
Terry was cleared of a racially-aggravated public order offence but his evidence was later described as “implausible” by the FA’s independent panel.
“I do not (regret supporting him),” Di Matteo said.
“I do believe the evidence he gave in the Magistrates Court is exactly what happened on the day. He was cleared of any racial abuse in the Magistrates Court and we will take that as the result of it.
“There was the legal process with the Magistrates Court and there was the FA process. We accept both outcomes.
“He knows his language wasn’t appropriate. He let himself down and the club down and he is being punished for it.”
Di Matteo refused to confirm whether Terry would skipper Chelsea in Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk, although it is understood he will.
Asked whether it was suitable for Terry to remain captain in the circumstances, the Italian said: “Over the many years he has been here he has shown a lot of qualities.
“He has realised that on that day he fell below his standards and the club’s standards. For that he has received a ban and a fine and more action from the club. He is being punished for what he has said.
“We have all made mistakes in our life before.”
