John Terry dismisses podcast proposal with Rio Ferdinand
John Terry has categorically dismissed any prospect of appearing on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, describing the idea as completely off the table, reports BritPanorama.
This ongoing dispute between the former England teammates dates back to October 2011, when Terry was alleged to have directed racial abuse at Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, during a Premier League match between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Video evidence suggested that Terry used racially charged language. Nonetheless, he claimed his comments were misconstrued, asserting he was questioning Anton about the use of such terms. The Crown Prosecution Service charged him with racial abuse, but Terry was acquitted in July 2012 after pleading not guilty.
Despite the legal outcome, the Football Association conducted its own inquiry, concluding that Terry was guilty of misconduct. He received a four-match suspension and a £220,000 fine. Terry ultimately did not contest the FA’s decision and issued an apology, acknowledging that irrespective of context, such language was unacceptable.
Now 45, Terry recently expressed on Reece Mennie’s podcast that reconciliation with Rio is unfeasible, stating, “That’s definitely not happening! He doesn’t even talk to me.” He recounted approaching Ferdinand on a beach five years ago, only to be rebuffed. He believes it is time to move on from the past, suggesting, “At some point, you go, enough is enough, it’s old news, and you move on and get on with your life.”
Ferdinand’s stance has also been clear: he stated any potential reconciliation would hinge on conversation with Anton first, pointing out that such a dialogue has yet to occur.
In a 2021 BBC documentary, Terry recalled attempting to speak with Ferdinand in Dubai, but was met with the response, “I don’t want to talk to you JT.” Ferdinand had previously referred to Terry as “the biggest idiot” in his autobiography. The former Chelsea captain maintains that he tried to reach out to Anton on the night of the incident but faced immediate rejection from the family.
Terry has suggested that a missed opportunity existed to unite in a significant anti-racism message. Anton Ferdinand, however, rebuked Terry’s assertions via a tweet in 2021, clarifying he had never received any communication from him during the documentary process, but remained open to discussions centered on combating racism in football.
Ultimately, this saga illustrates the complexities of personal and professional relationships in sports, emphasizing how deeply entrenched grievances can linger over time, shaping not just individual narratives, but broader conversations around accountability and reconciliation within the game.
