Roy Hodgson hopes Terry is cleared of abuse charges
England manager Roy Hodgson has strongly backed John Terry, saying that he hopes the Chelsea centre-half is “freed” from the Football Association disciplinary process relating to last season’s incident with the Queens Park Rangers defender, Anton Ferdinand.
Last month, Terry
was found not guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence by Westminster Magistrates Court.
The case centred on an alleged incident between the Chelsea captain and QPR defender Ferdinand at Loftus Road last October.
However, since then, the FA decided Terry has a case to answer under their own lesser burden of proof, although it has been suggested the hearing will not take place until the end of next month.
As Hodgson was free to choose Terry for Wednesday’s friendly with Italy in Switzerland, however 
if Terry was found guilty, his presence in the subsequent games against San Marino and Poland would be in jeopardy.
Hodgson has already declared an intention to select Terry unless he receives a lengthy suspension.
However in Berne on Tuesday evening Hodgson went one step further, leaving him open to the accusation of influencing the entire FA disciplinary process.
Initially the England boss refused to discuss the situation with Terry, however he went on to say:
“As far as I am concerned he has a case to answer with the FA and I’ll wait and see what happens.”
He then indicated what verdict he hoped the FA tribunal would reach over Terry. “I’m hoping, and I make no secret of that, the case will take its course, that John, hopefully, will be freed as he was freed in a court of law, and will carry on playing for England.’’
“That’s my hope. What will happen, I have no idea. As a member of the FA, it’s a subjudice situation and I’m not prepared to say any more.
“I thought John did well in the Euros and I’d like to keep using him, but this is a case which is way out of my hands. John understands that.
“All I can do, like many of his supporters, I suppose, is just hope he gets freed and can continue to play.”
