England and Chelsea captain John Terry is being investigated by The Football Association and police over allegations he racially abused a black opponent while playing for Chelsea. Terry was accused of directing a racial slur at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during Sunday's 1-0 Premier League loss,and footage of the incident has spread on the internet. It is the latest incident to blight Terry's scandal-plagued career,coming just seven months before he is due to lead England at the European Championship. The center back only regained the England captaincy in March from Ferdinand's brother Rio after being forgiven for a sex scandal by coach Fabio Capello ahead of the 2010 World Cup. The result of the investigation launched by the FA yesterday evening could again throw into question his suitability as England captain. "The FA can confirm it has received a complaint relating to an alleged incident of racist abuse in the QPR versus Chelsea fixture," English football's governing body said in a statement. "The FA will now begin to make enquiries into this matter. The FA takes seriously any allegations of discrimination and abuse of this type." A separate investigation was launched at Scotland Yard. "We can confirm that police have been notified of an incident. involving alleged racial abuse," the London police force said. "This is currently being assessed by officers." The 30-year-old Terry said the alleged comments directed at Ferdinand,who is black,were taken out of context by social media users who spread the video on Sunday night. "I thought Anton was accusing me of using a racist slur against him," he said after the match. "I responded aggressively,saying that I never used that term." After the FA investigation was opened,Terry released another statement saying: "I welcome the FA enquiry and look forward to clearing my name as soon as possible." QPR,which is back in the Premier League after 15 years,spent two days assessing the incident with Ferdinand before deciding to submit a complaint to the FA against its west London rival. "Queens Park Rangers Football Club does not condone racism in any way,shape or form," chairman Tony Fernandes said. "As a club,we will provide our players with our unequivocal support when alleged incidents like this occur." The incident happened during English football's anti-racism week,which highlights the progress made since abuse marred the game in the 1970s and 80s. And it came just a week after the FA launched a probe into allegations that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez racially abused Manchester United's black defender Patrice Evra during a Premier League match. "It is of great regret that. two high profile incidents of alleged racist abuse have taken place," said Herman Ouseley,chairman of English football's anti-racism group,Kick It Out. "This is worrying and potentially very damaging. What happens at the top end of the game has an impact at grass roots level and at parks pitches across the country." Off-field transgressions have followed Terry throughout his footballing career,which has been spent entirely at Chelsea.
