John Terry banned: FA are right to punish Chelsea and England defender for his use of toxic language Indeed, the FA should be applauded that Terry's position as England captain, and the pragmatic need to keep a vital cog of the national team onside was ignored. Never mind that calling him to account led to the departure of the England manager just a few months ahead of the European Championships, either: standards had to be upheld, a message had to be sent. No point hosting a week of activities suggesting we Kick Racism Out of Football if the country's most senior player is allowed to use such abusive language with forty five cameras picking up his every word. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated, whatever the identity of the perpetrator. For the FA the consequence of such a stand is significant. Without question, the loss of Terry weakens the England team. Not just because of his blocks, tackles and headers, but because of what he brought to the dressing room. When he arrived at the FA, Fabio Capello was appalled to discover how many England players shrink when they pull on the white shirt. He found nerves were endemic. Terry alone among his players was someone who rose to the challenge, whose chest swelled with the opportunity. That was why Capello wanted him: Terry gave the others a lesson in resolve. Never mind that lesson also came wrapped in a suffocating sense of superiority, it was one the manager felt was essential. A man who does not do self-doubt, Terry felt that if he was to be punished for what he insisted was merely a query, then he would get his retaliation in first. The upshot of the case is that no longer will he appear in his national colours. And England will now find it hard to replace that certainty. Chelsea too, will be without his foresquare presence and mental steel for the next four domestic matches. Though this being John Terry, despite the ban, you suspect he'll find a way to get himself in the picture.