'Latin countries would applaud Terry'

JOHN Terry needs all the friends he can get right now, and he has found an unlikely ally in Sepp Blatter.

The president of Fifa claims that the deposed England captain would have been applauded in some countries rather than sacked for having an alleged affair.

Terry was fired by England head coach Fabio Capello after a week of negative headlines about the defender's alleged affair with Wayne Bridge's ex-partner but Blatter, in Vancouver for the International Olympic Committee's session, joked that in "Latin" countries such as France, Italy and Spain, Terry's conduct may not have been considered a problem.

"Listen, this is a special approach in the Anglo-Saxon countries. If this had happened in, let's say, Latin countries then I think he would have been applauded."

The 29-year-old has now been given time off by Chelsea to address the issues in his personal life and will miss his side's FA Cup tie against Cardiff this weekend.

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins said: "He will not play this weekend. Carlo (Ancelotti) is giving him a bit of time off.

"They just had a little chat, John and Carlo, and decided that would be the best for all."