Terry to wear anti-racism armband

Chelsea captain John Terry will sport an anti-racism armband when he returns to action in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night. UEFA are instructing club captains to wear 'United Against Racism' logos on their kit as part of a week of action by European anti-discrimination body FARE, yet the timing could not be more sensitive for Terry, who he is currently serving a four-game domestic ban in England after being found guilty of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand..


 The racism initiative is a bold move from UEFA at a moment when they are coming under increased pressure to punish the Serbian FA after England's Under-21 players were alleged to have suffered racially motivated abuse during a Euro 2013 play-off tie last week.

 Anti-racism groups have called on Terry to take a leading role in the fight against an issue that football is struggling to beat across the continent, and the Blues skipper may be able to start by wearing the armband at Shakhtar's Donbass Arena. Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has moved to play down the rising expectations surrounding his Premier League table-toppers and insisted this is still a season of transition for the reigning European champions despite their stunning start to the season.

 "There are still 30 games to play in the Premier League and so many more in the other cup competitions, so it is too early to start talking about title challenges or winning big trophies," he saud. "We will be tested this season and then we have to see how we react. "I am just happy to be leading this group and working with these players and working for the club that I have in my heart.

 The players deserve all the credit for our start, as it has been extremely difficult last season and also this season with integrating players and our system of play. "I am just here to help and do my job well as I can and hopefully this story can continue for a long time."