John Terry charged over racist remark
Wed 21st Dec 2011 | Legal
John Terry, the England and Chelsea captain is to be charged over an alleged racist remark made to Anton Ferdinand.
Terry will now appear before West London Magistrates Court on the 1st Feb 2012.
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 Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea on 23 October 2011.
The news comes just a day after Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was charged by the FA over a racist remark made to Patrice Evra of Manchester United. Suarez was fined £40,000 and banned for 8 matches.
However, Terry’s case had been referred to the CPS after a complaint was made by a member of the crowd at Loftus Road to police.
"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,” Saunders in her statement.
"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."
Terry has always however protested his innocence and a statement on Chelsea’s official website read, “John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence.”
Terry will be charged for the offence of using 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. Contrary to section 31 (1) (c) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
 |
 |
 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSCRIBE TO THE F.C. BUSINESS RSS FEED
If you have any football business related news stories you’d like to share then please contact us – agourley@fcbusiness.co.uk or ryan@fcbusiness.co.uk
Google
Yahoo
Live
del.icio
DiggRelated Articles
ECJ rules Football Fixture Lists Cannot Be Protected by Copyright
Thu 1st Mar 2012 | Legal
A football fixture list cannot be protected by copyright when its compilation is dictated by rules or constraints which leave no room for creative freedom The Database Directive1 grants copyright...
Premier League ads warn pubs over using foreign set-top boxes
Thu 16th Feb 2012 | Legal
The Premier League is to launch an ad campaign warning pubs and clubs that it intends to crack down on unauthorised broadcasts of football matches using foreign satellite feeds. The campaign is being...
Premier League and satellite firms in new court ruling
Fri 3rd Feb 2012 | Legal
Football bosses have said they would tackle publicans using foreign satellite systems to broadcast Premier League action without permission. Premier League officials claimed victory in the latest...
Wolves bring in media law firm for players who tweet
Tue 26th Jul 2011 | Legal
Mick McCarthy has reportedly brought in a media law firm to advise players on the use of social networking sites such as Twitter. The Wolverhampton Wanderers manager is concerned that one of his...
