By Andrew Warshaw
December 21 – After weeks of mounting interest, England and Chelsea captain John Terry learned today that he is to face a criminal charge of using racist language during a Premier League game.
Twenty-four hours after Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez was handed an eight-game ban for alleged racist abuse, subject to appeal, Terry was told he faces prosecution for allegedly using racist language towards Anton Ferdinand in the October 23 game against Queens Park Rangers.
Police questioned Terry under caution in November and in a statement today, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had advised Scotland Yard that Terry should be prosecuted for “a racially aggravated public order offence”.
The decision to charge the defender was taken after police received a complaint from a member of the public.
But Terry insisted he would fight tooth and nail to clear his name.
“I am disappointed with the decision to charge me and hope to be given the chance to clear my name as quickly as possible,” he said.
“I have never aimed a racist remark at anyone and count people from all races and creeds among my closest friends. I will fight tooth and nail to prove my innocence.”
If found guilty, Terry, who will appear in court on February 1, faces a maximum £2,500 ($3,900/€3,000) fine rather than a jail sentence.
But he could also be sanctioned by the Football Association which has for the moment put its own case on hold.
If Terry is found guilty, it seems likely that the FA, not for the first time, will face calls to strip him of the England captaincy — just as coach Fabio Capello did last year over the married Chelsea star’s alleged relationship with French model Vanessa Perroncel, a former partner of his one-time England and Chelsea teammate Wayne Bridge.
Terry has been embroiled in a series of controversies since replacing David Beckham as England skipper in 2006 but Chelsea immediately made it clear they would be supporting their defensive lynchpin who, ironically, is due to make his next appearance on the field in an eagerly awaited derby at Tottenham on Thursday.
“John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence,” a Chelsea statement said.
“Chelsea FC has always been fully supportive of John in this matter and will continue to be so.
“The club finds all forms of discrimination abhorrent and we are proud of the work we undertake campaigning on this important issue.
“Chelsea will not be commenting further on the subject while the legal process runs its course.”
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