Police quiz race-row Terry under caution

Police have quizzed England captain John Terry under caution about his alleged racist rant.

Terry was interviewed by officers from Hammersmith and Fulham Police last Friday following his ugly on-pitch clash with Anton Ferdinand.

The Chelsea defender, 30, was not arrested during the meeting which had been pre-arranged by police.

He is thought to have denied making racist remarks and insisted his words have been taken out of context.

Terry is said to have called Ferdinand a “f****** black c***” during a stormy Premier League match against QPR last month.

Terry strenuously denies the claim.

Police travelled to Surrey to question the star who was accompanied by his solicitor.

Anton, 26, has said he did not hear the alleged comment at the time but was alerted to it after the final whistle.

Terry was finally questioned more than a month after the controversial incident at Loftus Road on October 23.

Police became involved after a complaint by a member of the public based on the YouTube clip which has gained widespread publicity, and in which Terry is partially masked by team-mate Ashley Cole running across the camera shot.

The police investigation has put the Football Association’s own inquiry into the incident on hold, with Wembley chiefs awaiting the outcome of the legal process before deciding on their next step.

It is understood that police are now preparing another selection of files to send to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will make the final decision on whether to charge the defender.

Terry played and scored for Chelsea in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Wolves before a controversial late booking saw him suspended for Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie with Liverpool.

A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed a 30-year-old man was questioned by appointment under caution last Friday.

He said: “Police were notified of an incident on Sunday, 23 October, involving alleged racial abuse.

“This is currently being investigated by officers from Hammersmith & Fulham.

“There have been no arrests and our enquiries continue.

“A 30-year-old man was interviewed under caution on Friday, 25 November. He was not arrested.”

The spokesman said the interview took place by appointment in Surrey, but would not discuss whether it was at Terry’s home or the Chelsea training ground in Cobham.

Officers from Hammersmith and Fulham police last week sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.

It was an interim file - normally sent by police in complex and political cases.

A full report will be submitted in due course for lawyers to decide on any charges.

The CPS has confirmed the full file has not been submitted.