FA launch inquiry into Terry racism claims

The Football Association have launched an investigation into allegations that Chelsea and England captain John Terry made racist remarks towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during Sunday’s west London derby at Loftus Road.

Ferdinand met with QPR representatives and manager Neil Warnock at the club’s Harlington training ground yesterday to discuss the issue and decided to complain to the FA, a move which could have huge implications for Terry’s future in the game.

Terry has denied racially abusing Ferdinand, who he admitted had accused him of making a racist remark, but insisted his own response was actually a denial and not racist in any way.

An FA statement read: “The FA can confirm it has received a complaint relating to an alleged incident of racist abuse in the QPR versus Chelsea fixture at Loftus Road on 23 October 2011.

“The FA will now begin to make enquiries into this matter. The FA takes seriously any allegations of discrimination and abuse of this type.”

After the FA inquiry was announced, Terry said that he would fight to clear his name and welcomed the news in a statement which read: “I welcome the FA inquiry and look forward to clearing my name as soon as possible. Until then I have no further comment.”