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Terry to face police charges in Anton Ferdinand "race row"

Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service has announced that it will press charges against the England captain.

ENGLAND CAPTAIN JOHN TERRY is to face charges over alleged racist comments made to Anton Ferdinand.

Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service has found that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the Chelsea defender for “a racially aggravated public order offence”.

Terry will now appear before West London Magistrates’ Court on 1 February next year.

Terry strongly denies claims that he racially abused Ferdinand in an altercation between the pair during Chelsea’s Premier League visit to QPR on 23 October. Police opened their investigation following a complaint by a member of the public.

BBC’s Richard Conway reports that Terry has been “charged with a summary only offence” which carries a maximum penalty of £2500.

Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, said this afternoon: “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.”

A statement from Chelsea read: “Chelsea Football Club today received notification that the Crown Prosecution Service has charged John Terry with a racially aggravated public order offence.

John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence. 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.”

The CPS confirmed Terry will be prosecuted under section 31 (1) (c) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and released details of the charge against him.

“On 23rd October 2011 at Loftus Road Stadium, London W12 you used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress which was racially aggravated in accordance with section 28 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.”

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32 Comments
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    Mute John Cleary
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    Dec 21st 2011, 3:41 PM

    John Terry is a total scumbag.

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    Mute Jambbie
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    Dec 21st 2011, 5:12 PM

    Know him personally do ya. Let those without sin throw the first stone.
    I get called a baldy red bastard every week on the pitch and I laugh at it. The “coloured” football community should man up and play football, they get paid enough. I’m sure JT doesn’t go thru 1 game without opposition players and fans hurling abuse at him. And yeah I’m a Chelsea fan and no I’m not a racist. I include Pele, Thomas Hearns , Brian Lara and many more “coloured” sportsmen to be my heroes.

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    Mute jrbmc
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    Dec 21st 2011, 5:23 PM

    Why cause he’s a racist ? Get real man !

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Dec 21st 2011, 9:26 PM

    Jammbie, “coloured”??? Are you seriously using that phrase to describe a black man? Or are you just from Kentucky?

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    Mute Yvonne M
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    Dec 21st 2011, 4:17 PM

    John Terry has stated that he “is not racist” and to prove it, “would sleep with a black colleague’s wife as well as a white one. Innit”

    68
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    Mute JeasusBigBalls
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    Dec 21st 2011, 3:19 PM

    No doubt most people are against racism but does this not open the door for exploitation for a black person to just claim they were racially abused when things aren’t going their way and automatically have the law take their side with the guilty until proven innocent attitude applied rather than the innocent till guilty??
    Does racism only apply one way??
    If a black person racially abuses a white guy would this happen??
    No doubt I’ll be a racist for asking…

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    Mute Gary Walsh
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    Dec 21st 2011, 3:26 PM

    Not sure how this case can “open the door”, the footage clearly shows what he said. The Suarez case though, maybe. (and I’m a united fan!)

    34
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    Mute Ciarán Mc Mahon
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    Dec 21st 2011, 6:45 PM

    You are completely right. When somebody claims that they have been racially abused we should simply ignore them because things probably haven’t gone their way and they’re probably lying about it.

    That clears that up now, doesn’t it?

    9
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    Mute Adrian O'Donnell
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    Dec 21st 2011, 3:13 PM

    PC gone mad. Dark times for football, if you’ll pardon the pun. :)

    43
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    Mute Ultan Quirke
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    Dec 21st 2011, 5:48 PM

    So taking action against someone on foot of an incidence of racial abuse is PC gone mad? Racism is not an issue that ever falls under political correctness. It is wrong, and that’s that.

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    Mute Chris Coffey
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    Dec 21st 2011, 6:08 PM

    What pun?

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    Mute Brian Ward
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    Dec 21st 2011, 6:32 PM

    Ah, I think you forgot the word “alleged” there Ultan. He hasn’t been convicted of an offence as yet.

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    Mute Yvonne M
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    Dec 21st 2011, 4:04 PM

    Hear hear. John Terry has the manners and ethics of a sewer rat. (And no I’m not particularly familiar with the practices of an *actual* sewer rat… but hey…) Love to see Terry get his comeuppance.

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Dec 21st 2011, 3:30 PM

    After the suarez case, terry has to at least get an 8 game ban from the FA

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    Mute Peter Laurent
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    Dec 21st 2011, 2:56 PM

    And Platter states there’s no racism in soccer ….. Sure bob

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    Mute william winkell
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    Dec 21st 2011, 4:27 PM

    Next thing is players getting a ban for calling Rooney ugly or making fun of his attempted face transplant.

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Dec 21st 2011, 9:28 PM

    No William, that wouldn’t be racist now would it? Dope

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    Mute John Cleary
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    Dec 21st 2011, 6:37 PM

    @jammbie-The “coloured” football community eh? Which colour would that be then?
    Away and spew your “man up” guff somewhere else you tosser.
    What difference if I dont know John Terry personally? I dont know Michael Lowry or Bertie either but I know they’re both muppets.Terry is known to every dog in the street by his reputation. If half the coverage he gets is half true, he’s doubtless one of the most disreputable assholes to have ever tied laces on boots.If I was moving in the same circles as Terry I wouldn’t want to know him.

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    Mute Jambbie
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    Dec 21st 2011, 7:46 PM

    Me young fella gets called worse in school. Get over yourself. And tosser yeah… Ooh I’m hurt I might report ya to admin for being a tosserist.

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    Mute Paul Ryan
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    Dec 21st 2011, 4:48 PM

    Perfect result for the FA… let the police deal with it. At best he’ll be fined, do some community service and carry on as England captain.

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    Mute jrbmc
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    Dec 21st 2011, 3:36 PM

    Where are the Chelsea and Liverpool fans , let’s be hearing you……. Complain complain about how it’s not racism etc….. The very ones who spoke out in disgust about the incident in
    Naas with Mr Scully.

    9
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    Mute Colm Mooney
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    Dec 21st 2011, 3:44 PM

    im here jbrmc and your comments comparing suarez to a rabid dog on suarez thread show you to be beneath contempt

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    Mute Chris Coffey
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    Dec 21st 2011, 6:14 PM

    Im not familiar with the incident (I must look it up) and I’m sure terry has it coming to him but what disturbs me about this scenario is that it mentions this lawsuit was kicked off my a member of the public. Essentially that means under the letter of British law I can tell the police I was offended by something a public personality said (despite having zero connection to the incident) and have them investigated…! That seems worrying to me. It would be different if the player on the receiving end made a complaint.

    Not that any of that lets him off the hook mind you, I just think what brought this about is a little bizarre.

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    Mute John Cleary
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    Dec 21st 2011, 8:08 PM

    Your kid mightn’t have to put up with it if you and others didn’t have their idea of manhood buried in 1978.
    I know guys in their seventies who worked themselves to the bone and never uttered a racist word in their lives. Proper men.
    We dont need people like John Terry held as an example for kids.
    You keep your ideals, stay right where you are,it’s your right.
    The rest of us are moving on.

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    Mute Jambbie
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    Dec 21st 2011, 9:04 PM

    I was 4 in 1978 so I don’t know what your on about. And I’ve never said John Terry should be used as an example to kids. And I don’t know how ya can assume a persons ideals from a couple of sentences, but you seem to know it all, fair play to ya. Nothing like a good know all who always has the high ground. I’m off now to put on me white hoody with the eyes cut out and watch roots. Have a nice life assuming. Maith an fear. Buala bos.

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    Mute Joanna McElligott
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    Dec 21st 2011, 7:26 PM

    I’m not a fan of john terry. He.s a wanna be wide boy if u ask me. But i think that they’ve gone a bit far. Y is it a member of de public have complained an he.s to go b4 de courts? He was supposed to have made a racist remark at Ferdinand wasn’t he? Should it not be down to Ferdinand whether he wants to press charges or not? As far as i’m aware, every player, no matter their colour or creed, has been insulted during their careers? Is it not a wind up tactic?? Wrong kind of wind up but it seems thats what happens, i’m sure irish players get insulted about where they’re from, does any member of de public report that? I think NOT!! but sure hey, don.t mind me, i’m only a woman, what would i know about football. Lol

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    Mute Conor Flynn
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    Dec 21st 2011, 4:10 PM

    Terry mightn’t get a ban as this isn’t the fa though, more likely a fine or community service of some sort

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    Mute limofax
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    Dec 21st 2011, 4:52 PM

    There goes his chances of playing in the Euros.

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    Mute ShaneGK
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    Dec 21st 2011, 6:46 PM

    Just to clarify John is that a 1/4 of all coverage!

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    Mute John Cleary
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    Dec 21st 2011, 6:52 PM

    A quarter it is!

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    Mute Padraig Stapleton
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    Dec 22nd 2011, 7:26 AM

    Amazing how the Chelsea away kit has a jail cell pattern printed on it.

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    Mute John McGuirk
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    Dec 21st 2011, 8:20 PM

    The marker has been set at eight weeks minimum lets see if the FA have the balls to stick it to their national captain. (if found guilty) something tells me they will try to wait until a bigger story hits the news to make an judgement.Terry has form leopards and spots spring to mind.

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