For all his quality as a defender and his overflowing trophy cabinet, John Terry's near-19-year Chelsea career was punctuated by moments of significant controversy – from his early days at Stamford Bridge right through to his peak. His legacy is a complex one as a result, with many recognising him as one of the finest defenders England has ever produced while simultaneously asking serious questions of his character.
Within the walls of Stamford Bridge, at least, Terry will always be an icon, having led the club to five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and an elusive Champions League crown during a glittering era as their charismatic, hardman skipper, earning himself the tagline 'Captain, leader, legend' among the Chelsea faithful.
Among neutrals and rival fans, however, the former centre-back is a widely abhorred after a string of high-profile misdemeanours and brushes with the law, with two incidents in particular between the late noughties and early 2010s standing out in people's minds.
But what has led to Terry's reputation sinking so low? Below, GOAL reflects on the nine most controversial moments of the Chelsea hero's storied career…
- Getty Images Sport
9Questioning ref's 'integrity'
Terry found himself in hot water in November 2006 after comments he made about referee Graham Poll following his sending off against Tottenham. Terry claimed the official had given him conflicting reasons for his second yellow card.
He told Chelsea TV: "On the pitch. Graham Poll said to me that it was for the barge where I just kept running. Then, after the game, he said it was for the fall when me and Ledley King fell. He's obviously had a look at it and decided that's probably the best option and it covers every angle for him."
Terry was hit with an FA improper conduct charge for 'questioning Poll's integrity', which he later admitted as he was fined £10,000.
Advertisement
-
8Parking fines
Bizarrely, Terry was twice fined for parking his car in a disabled space during his time with Chelsea – once in 2008 and again seven years later in 2015, even though he had reportedly vowed never to do it again after the first incident.
The footballer was caught red-handed the second time as he was photographed with his car parked in the bay outside a kebab shop in Esher, Surrey. The original offence – which happened in the same area – saw him allegedly use the spot for two hours while he had a family meal at a branch of Pizza Express. He was fined just £60.
- AFP
7Secret tour payment allegation
Chelsea were forced to defend their captain in 2009 when it was alleged that he had taken a secret £10,000 payment from an undercover reporter to host a behind-the-scenes tour of the club's Cobham training ground, without informing then-manager Carlo Ancelotti. He reportedly wanted £8,000 to go to charity and the remainder to a middleman.
The Blues said in a statement: "Chelsea FC host a large number of visitors at the training ground throughout the year, the majority of which are made up of club sponsors, our charity partners and supporters. The players play a big part in these visits and John Terry naturally has a leading role. Contrary to media reports and the appearance of edited video this morning, the club is confident that at no time did Terry ask for or accept money in relation to visits to the training ground." Ancelotti also denied the allegation, saying his player had "done nothing wrong".
- Getty Images Sport
6Makelele's Mourinho claims
The year 2009 was a tumultuous one for Terry, as he also had to face claims from a revered former team-mate about his role in Jose Mourinho's dramatic Stamford Bridge exit two years prior. Legendary defensive midfielder Claude Makelele, who left Chelsea in 2008, wrote in his autobiography that he was informed that a row between Mourinho and Terry over the centre-back's fitness played a significant role in the Portuguese tactician leaving.
The Frenchman went as far as to say that his co-star made a transfer request which forced Roman Abramovich to act, with both the club and Terry forced to deny Makelele's claims.
"It's bizarre, actually, because he knows the real truth and, if anything, I was one of three players phoning Roman at 1am or 2am the night I heard he'd been sacked, to keep him on," Terry later said, adding: "Me and Jose know the truth. It's bizarre that Maka has put this in his book, but I tried to call him Friday night and his phone was off."
