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Unlike many Chelsea supporters, I am still appalled by the unforgettable John Terry-Ledley King & Aaron Lennon 'lippy black monkey', racial incident that occurred in 2006 during the Spurs -Chelsea game. More so, I am more perplexed that an inquiry was not held into the allegations of a racial slur being used on a football pitch and that Chelsea FC blatantly refused to investigate this matter and deal with John Terry's behaviour. To this day, I still remain unconvinced that this matter was resolved.

(Now I really don't see any of our other brilliantly stupendous/ world class players behaving this way and to be honest, I would really think twice about printing the captain's name and trademark number 26 on the back of my blues fan kit)

Even though, I was delighted by yesterdays win as with Chelsea’s solid and consistent performance, I was also notably disappointed that the game had turned sour after the red card incident.

I admit that initially I felt the red card was deserved, of course this strong concurrence with the deserved red card and sent off was marred if not obscured by my perceptions of Terry's behaviour in previous games. When the monitor replayed the foul, I was convinced that it was a deliberate, rule breaking and incendiary defense, one that was unjustified and uncalled for.

Let me also admit, that when the incident occurred, I could see a Chelsea player in a black shirt committing professional foul but I was unable to distinguish which player it was because of my terrible eye sight, but in my mind, what was going on was, 'OMG, it's probably Terry at it again and when that ref pulled out the red card, I knew it had to be... John Terry.

I STAND TO BE CORRECTED.

Throughout this season I had anticipated some embarrassment on Terry’s part and I had hoped that nothing controversial would emerge on the field.

I was also disappointed by Terry's bitter protest at his dismissal and the red card. Last night I went further, suggesting on the Chelsea FC shed website that Terry should be stripped off his captaincy simply because he does not know how to behave on the pitch anymore and his actions are inadvertently embarrassing the myriad of talented and precocious players that our club is blessed to have and the incumbent captain is an impediment to the reputation of the club.

However, let me just say that in as much as I am a Chelsea fan and my support for many of my favourite players on the team and the team in general, is irrevocable, I am also not 100% familiar with the game as much as I enjoy my weekly 90 min zone out.

It had not occurred to me that Terry's move was not consonant with professional foul play rules simply because he had two players behind him and furthermore the sent off was also unjustified and protested not only by our players but also by the coach and players of Man City. (You see again, I had no knowledge of this as again I was marred by my contempt for Terry's previous actions.)

So, to all Chelsea supporters, I apologize for insinuating that the red card was INEVITABLY deserved and that Terry should be stripped off his captaincy. I am also incredibly moved and proud of the other players for standing by their captain, who I believe is a skilled, talented, professional player and even more so, a great captain. I would like to believe that none of his actions are undertaken with any malicious intent, neither do I believe that he is a threat to the club. I just think that he needs to learn how to behave, ON THE PITCH that is.

In addition, I do NOT believe that Terry should be rendered, ineligible for Saturday's game against Man United. In all honesty, we do have many skilled players, but his absence would really destroy the morale of Chelsea in the face of another hugely successful team.

 Go Blues!!!!

This note was first published on facebook. Below is the reaction from my friends there. What's your take? 

Nasreen:
1) I had no idea about the racial slur, however I refuse to believe that the man is capable of committing this act on the pitch
2) Your concerns are certainly legitimate but why would a Chelsea fan not object to the issuing of a red card that is unjustified?
3) John Terry is the world's best defender and if not best captain

Me:
In response to Nas
1) As I reiterate, no one knows if this is really what happend but all the evidence points to Terry purporting a racial slur. Racism on the pitch off the pitch has no place in our society and should not be tolerated by anyone especially football clubs/player. Football is about competition that is healthy not divsive nor violent.
2) If you READ my note, you would know that I withdraw my comments on the stripping of his captaincy and the red card, I do believe that the red card and send off was unjustified but that does not justify Terry's behaviour in previous games.
3)If you have been watching recent Chelsea games, you would note that John Terry did not have as much of a presence on the field as he used to, he is certainly a great player and a great captain but I'm not so sure about being the best defender. There are certainly other better and more talented defenders like Ricardo Carvalho, Rio Ferdinand, Ledley King...

Also may I comment that being a Chelsea supporter does not forbid me to criticize my own team, and in fact my disapproval of Terry's actions says nothing about the team in general PLEASE READ MY NOTE

Nasreen:
1) Why do people unnecessarily cry racism? Its so overrated
2) Okay I do get it now, but it seems like you would rather have him off the team
3) Was Rio Ferdinand not the one who accused Terry of being a known racism
4)fair enuff

Me:
Nas
A few things on the first comment
1. a Do you not think that calling somone a 'lippy black monkey' is tantamount to racism and abrogates one of the fundamental reasons why we play football?
b.how is the accusation that it's racist not necessary?
c. Premier League teams are growing increasingly diverse with many international players and a record number of players of African decent (especially in Chelsea), it is absolutely necessary that all players respect the dignity of all players
d. MY NOTE IS NOT ABOUT RACISM, IT MERELY EXPRESSES AND CORROBORATES MY PERCEPTIONS OF JOHN TERRY's ACTIONS AND WHAT THEIR BASIS ARE, NOT MY OPINION OF HIM AS A PLAYER OR AS A MAN SO LETS NOT GO BACK TO ONE GAME TWO YEARS BACK

2. No I do not wish for Terry to go, he is an important and unavoidable part of the Chelsea team but that does not mean that he should get away with bad behaviour on the pitch. I love the dude but somethings need to change. If Lampard and all other players support his captaincy and his contribution then I should respect that but I have no desire for him to be removed off the team and BESIDES ITS NOT UP TO ME TO DECIDE THAT.

3. Rio Ferdinand referred to someone as 'being a known racist' but we still don't know who that is?

4. :)

Nasreen:
1. but in SA they do that alot?
2. Ok
3. To quote you. ' I would really think twice about printing the captain's name and trademark number 26 on the back of my blues kit'.
4. :)

Me:
1. THIS IS NOT SA, IT'S ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE...
3. As I said, I like the dude and he is an important part of Chelsea and I respect him as a player of the club and the captain and as an unequivocal part of the team and I DO respect that even though he is not my favourite player.
LET ME REITERATE HE IS A GREAT PLAYER, A GREAT MAN AND AN IMPORTANT PART OF CHELSEA BUT HE IS NOT MY FAVOURITE PLAYER... And that is simply why I would not print his name on my kit. Frankly there are other players who I would rather have on printed on my fan kit such as Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Joe Cole and that I am not ashamed to admit :)
Wait my personalised fan kit is in fact printed with Ballack's name in any case :)

Also in case you did not know, Terry has also made a firm commitment to the Show Racism the Red Card campaign so I did not call him a racist at all, I said this one action was a racial incident :). Also let me end this debate with one final word, so that we can forget about this and move on with more important worldly issues... the captain of any team must demonstrate profound leadership in and amongst players and more importantly they must uphold the dignity, values and spirit of the club. If Terry continues with his controversial and behavioural tactics on the field, he cannot be the captain because he ultimately represents our club...