Hodgson hopes Terry is cleared

England manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his hope that the Football Association clears John Terry of racially abusing 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 and painted football in a very murky light.

However, since then, the FA has 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 and that time scale splits England's first four World Cup qualifiers.

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As Hodgson was free to choose Terry for Wednesday's friendly with Italy in Switzerland had he wished, there would be no reason why the tough-tackling defender would be barred from facing Moldova and Ukraine at the beginning of September.

If Terry was found guilty though, his presence in the subsequent games against San Marino and Poland would be in jeopardy, whilst there would doubtless be calls for his entire international career to be brought to an end.

Hodgson has already declared an intention to select Terry unless he receives a lengthy suspension.

In Berne on Tuesday evening though, he went further, leaving him open to the accusation of influencing the entire FA disciplinary process.

"I'm not prepared to discuss John," said Hodgson initially. "It's a matter which is really, as far as I am concerned, working for the FA, sub judice.

"Everything I say can be misinterpreted.

"As far as I am concerned he has a case to answer with the FA and I'll wait and see what happens."

Asked about his previous comments in an interview with Sky Sports News last Friday, Hodgson went on: "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.

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"As a member of the FA, it's a sub judice 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."

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