Ref: I was right to book bitter Terry

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The Danish referee who cautioned England skipper John Terry in Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final between Liverpool and Chelsea says he was right to do so. The yellow card brandished by official Claus Bo Larsen means that Terry will now miss the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday through suspension. 

The 28-year-old was cautioned after flinging himself at Reds goalkeeper Jose Reina, attempting to win the ball ahead of the Spanish glove-man.

However, the Blues' defender only succeeded in clattering into the stopper, leaving them both in an agonising heap.

Terry believed he had every right to challenge Reina for the loose ball, and criticised Rafa Benitez's players after full-time for encouraging the match official to book him.

However, Larsen is adament the challenge was worthy of a yellow card. “Of course he is a little bit bitter,” he said. “He will miss the return game, but he could have avoided running into the keeper on purpose.”

“This was purely calculated and I have no doubts I have made the right decision."

Fortunately for Terry, his absence may not be as crucial, with Chelsea heading into next week's tie with a 3-1 advantage courtesy of a Branislav Ivanovic brace and another goal from Didier Drogba, after Liverpool hit-man Fernando Torres had opened the scoring.

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.