Flashpoint: Terry and Ferdinand clash again at Loftus Road

Chelsea, who are due to play at Swansea on the eve of Terry’s scheduled appearance in court, also issued a statement.

It said: ‘John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence. Chelsea FC have always been fully supportive of John in this matter and there is no question that we 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.’

Prior to the CPS statement, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas also spoke out in support of Terry. ‘We know exactly his human values and personality,’ he said. ‘They are never in doubt.’

Lord Ouseley, chairman of the anti-racism campaigning group Kick It Out, said: ‘John Terry is innocent until proved otherwise. It’s a bit of a shock and a sad day for football that we’re going through such a situation.’

Asked whether Terry should captain England, he told Sky Sports News: ‘I think there is an issue of the morality, of the  leadership, the standard we set, the ethics for football. The FA must consider those things in arriving at a decision as to whether he stays until the matter is resolved.’

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