Roy Hodgson was ‘foolish’ to back John Terry

Anti-racism campaigner Piara Powar today branded Roy Hodgson’s intervention in the John Terry case as “foolish”.

The England coach expressed support for Terry (above), who has been found not guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence but is now the subject of an FA charge over comments made to Anton Ferdinand last October.

Powar, executive director of Football Against Racism, said: “Hodgson’s comments on Terry are foolish. It is not helpful. The England manager is employed by the FA, who have a dual role in running the national team and being the governing body.

“Whatever support Hodgson wants to give to a squad member, he also has to remember the FA’s wider role. To go public with his view calls into question that dual function.”