The England skipper will face criminal charges over alleged racist comments made towards Anton Ferdinand.
England and Chelsea captain John Terry will face criminal charges over alleged racist comments made towards fellow footballer 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 Queens 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.”
Terry would face a maximum fine of £2,500 if found guilty, although the FA has put their enquiry into the incident on hold until the conclusion of the criminal investigation.
The decision to prosecute the England and Chelsea centre half comes only a day after Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was hit with an eight game ban by the FA for his race row with Patrice Evra.
