John Terry claims Chelsea’s unfair reputation is influencing officials

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/02/john-terry-chelsea-unfair-reputation-officials

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John Terry believes Chelsea are being ill-treated by officials wary of the Blues’ reputation. José Mourinho is adamant there is a “clear campaign” against Chelsea and seethed after the draw at Southampton and loss at Tottenham.

Terry thinks referees are being swayed by incidents of diving involving Chelsea’s players being highlighted in the media.

The captain said: “There have been a lot of highlights on the television and in the papers as well, which is unfair. I think the refs have to come into the games with a clear mind and judge each game as it is. You can’t go into a game thinking ‘someone did this, someone did that’.

“There are reputations out there, but the referees have got to come into it with a clear mind and I think the last two games we have been denied two clear penalties.”

Chelsea have seen their eight-point Premier League lead over Manchester City evaporate after losing at Tottenham. Frank Lampard – a team-mate of Terry’s at Stamford Bridge for 13 years – scored City’s winner against Sunderland earlier in the day before the Spurs slump.

Lampard, Chelsea’s record scorer, was released by the Blues last summer and is now at City, with whom he has extended his stay until the end of the season. He could play against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 31 January.

The Blues skipper said on london24.com: “Lamps has scored so many goals for us over the years. He’s a legend at the club and always will be. He’s doing what he does best and unfortunately it’s in a City shirt, but that’s the decision that was made. He’s scoring goals and playing great as always.”