Only a Game - The life and times of an idiot in football
Chelsea's John Terry, third left, gets a red card from the referee during a Champions League second leg semifinal soccer match against Barcelona at Camp Nou stadium, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, April 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
The Chuckle Brothers, Pinky and the Brain and Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne are but a few of the idiotic comedy duos that come to mind when I think of Chelsea players John Terry and Frank Lampard.
If you’re a regular reader of this column then you’ll know that I’ve directed plenty of ire Mr. Terry’s way for quite some time.
In the context of football, Terry’s contribution to his lexicon of bad deeds has become almost as consistently awful as Harry Redknapp’s recent form as manager of Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea captain John Terry was sent-off during his team’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona earlier this week.
The video replay cameras catch the moment perfectly.
It’s totally unprovoked but for some reason, Terry decided that he was going to try his hand at a bit of judo and he proceeds to knee Alexis Sanchez in the back.
Chelsea were one nil down at the time of Terry’s sending off but lucky for him they came back to draw two each with the current champions and will now face Bayern Munich in the final next month.
Had Chelsea been eliminated would the fans have been so forgiving? Well, I am talking about Chelsea fans so the answer is probably yes.
I suppose if John Terry were to execute a classroom full of school children, Chelsea fans would welcome him back with open arms. They are such a forgiving bunch.
Perhaps the most farcical aspect of Terry’s sending off was his absolutely insane explanation.
The Chelsea captain attempted to hijack basic facts of physics and said that he was moving forward so fast that he was unable to control the forward force with which he was moving, the result being a knee in the back for Mr. Sanchez.
Terry’s explanation is almost as incredulous as the one offered by the captain of the Costa Concordia who tried to say that the reason he abandoned his ship was because he accidentally fell into one of the life boats. Give me a break!
If Terry’s explanation was enough to insult your intelligence then just wait, there’s more.
Frank Lampard said that he believed that Terry didn’t mean to do what he did and that he didn’t think there was any malice intended.
That’s right Frank, stick your head in the sand and convince yourself that what your team-mate did was just one of those things.
Chelsea may be riding on the crest of a wave at the minute but Terry’s sending off could end up costing his team a realistic shot at the Champions League trophy.
I can’t understand why fans and team-mates such as Lampard continue to defend Terry’s actions.
Terry is one of the most disruptive players of a generation and he’s been hiding behind his ‘British Bulldog’ image for far too long.
As Chelsea touched down in London again on Wednesday fans approached Terry for his autograph and asked him to pose for photographs. Why? Why? Why?
Terry might have cost them a realistic shot at the Champions League trophy but in their blind desire to be snapped with one of their heroes they throw principles, integrity and responsibility out the window.
It would have been much more refreshing to see a fan berate Terry for what he did but I suppose sticking your head in the sand must come with the Stamford Bridge territory.
In my column last Sunday, I wrote about how everyone deserves a second chance and whilst I would certainly apply this philosophy to John Terry, I just can’t help but feeling that he’s not capable of changing his ways.
Terry has been at the centre of some distasteful incidents in the past and Tuesday’s sending off is just the latest addition.
When will Chelsea and England fans realise that Terry is ultimately a selfish person who masquerades as a decent footballer through subterfuge and opportunism.
If John Terry wasn’t English I probably wouldn’t even be writing a column about him.
It’s almost as if he believes his nationality gives him sort of divine right to wreak havoc where ever he goes.
There’s a wake of devastation and heartache in Terry’s past but for some reason certain people, newspapers, team-mates and managers peddle the myth that Terry is misunderstood and is the kind of man you wouldn’t mind sharing a few beers with (just make sure you don’t bring your girlfriend along!).
Some might say that Terry’s action on Tuesday is an example of how passionate he is about Chelsea but how can that be?
Surely, if you’re passionate about something you would do everything in your power to protect it? No? Maybe it’s just me.
Terry’s sending off was nothing to do with passion and everything to do with how much of a moronic thug he is.
If Chelsea lose the final, on Terry’s head be it...
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