The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised criminal charges to be brought
against England and Chelsea captain John Terry in relation to allegations of
racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand.





Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London said: “I have today advised
the Metropolitan Police Service that John Terry should be prosecuted for a
racially aggravated public order offence following comments allegedly made
during a Premier League football match between Queen’s Park Rangers and
Chelsea on 23 October 2011.



“The decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and
after careful consideration of all the evidence I am satisfied there is
sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the
public interest to prosecute this case.



“Mr Terry will appear before West London Magistrates’ Court on 1 February 2012.



“He is now summonsed with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair
trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could
prejudice his trial.”



The police investigation followed Chelsea’s
acrimonious 1-0 defeat to Queens
Park Rangers at Loftus Road, during which Terry and Ferdinand were
involved in a heated exchange of words as the visitors searched for an
equaliser.