Chelsea criticised by Kick It Out for keeping John Terry punishment 'confidential'

John Terry applauds the Chelsea fans (Getty Images)

Chelsea have been criticised by football's equality group Kick It Out for keeping their punishment of John Terry secret.

The club said they had taken "further disciplinary action" against the defender after Terry decided to accept a four-match ban and £220,000 fine from the FA for racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

But Chelsea said they would be keeping their action "confidential" due to club policy.

Lord Herman Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, said that stance could damage Chelsea in the eyes of those people who had been waiting many months to see how the club handled the case.

Ouseley told the Press Association: "I believe Chelsea need to be open about the action they have taken. A lot of people will be dissatisfied that Chelsea have not been much more up front about the standards they set and the values they have.

"If they are not prepared to say, it will further damage the trust of those people who still have suspicions about Chelsea's sincerity in dealing with this matter.

"I do welcome what they have said, but they need to be saying more and doing more if they are going to win back the confidence of people who have lost trust in them rather than to sit back and be silent."

Chelsea released a statement today saying that Terry's language was not acceptable.

The statement said: "The board has taken further disciplinary action in addition to the four-match suspension and £220,000 fine imposed by the FA. In accordance with our long-standing policy, that disciplinary action will remain confidential."

PA