Rodgers - Terry no racist

Swansea boss defends Chelsea captain ahead of court case

Brendan Rodgers: Worked with John Terry at Chelsea

Brendan Rodgers says he knows John Terry isn't a racist after working with the defender during his time at Chelsea.

The 31-year-old has been charged with racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during October's Premier League meeting between the sides, a charge he strenuously denies. The first hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Terry won't be invovled in Tuesday's Premier League game against his former coach, when Chelsea travel to Swansea, as he has a knee injury.
Swansea boss Rodgers worked with Terry during his time as reserve and youth team manager at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2008, and spoke positively about the England captain's character.

Rodgers said: "He is a strong personality, John is a good man and from my time knowing him, and what he is being talked about in terms of the charges against him, I can safely say in my period of time working with him that he is not a racist, if that's what he's been pointed the finger as being.

Leader

"I have absolutely great confidence that is the case. He has been a wonderful leader for Chelsea and I have known him off the field as well and the number of players he helped evolve, dealing with ethnic minorities young and old, it was during the time I was there and I witnessed it, so I would say that is not the case with John.
"He is a public figure, he is the national captain and there have been a number of incidents that have drawn him to the publicity.
"But from my own experience he is a great man, off the field I had a terrific relationship with him through good and bad times, it wasn't always all smiles. I was able to speak my mind with him at times and tell him how I felt and I am sure he would say the same thing.
"I always found his communication open. He is a lover of football and he is happiest when he is on the field or with his family, and I have nothing but high praise for him as in that period when I was there he was a real icon for the football club on and off the field. I found him a terrific man.
"From my experience of knowing him quite well over that period of time I would say he is not a racist."