It was issue that we thought had been put to bed a long time ago, but new England manager Sam Allardyce has stirred the hornet's nest that is the issue of John Terry playing international football once again.
When asked by a journalist whether it was possible that Terry could play for England again, he replied: “Maybe so. I think it depends on what John said. Maybe if I get the opportunity I might have to give him a ring but until I come to that selection or that process, we’ll wait and see.
“I don’t know what the political side of that might mean, if there is a political side. I’ll have to have that conversation if I feel that John Terry may be a possibility.”
Oh God, here we go again.
Terry last played for England in September 2012 before retiring from international football, after winning 78 caps, claiming that his position had become 'untenable'. He had been accused of racially abusing QPR defender - and fellow England defender Rio Ferdinand's brother - Anton Ferdinand during a game and, while a Westminster magistrate’s court had found him not guilty, the FA - which required a lower level of proof to issue a verdict - found him guilty. He was banned for four games and fined £220,000.
The incident had previously led to the departure of Fabio Capello, who resigned from the job after the FA initially stripped Terry of the captaincy when the allegations and trial were set.
Terry had widely been expected to leave Chelsea in the summer before Antonio Conte was appointed manager and he was given a one-year contract to remain at the club. The central defender is 35 years old, meaning that he will be 37 by the time the 2018 World Cup in Russia takes place.
[Image: Rex]
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