Police say there is enough proof to charge England captain John Terry over his alleged racist rant.
They have quizzed six senior Chelsea players about the ugly on-pitch clash with QPR’s Anton Ferdinand and are sending a file to crown prosecutors to make a final decision.
A source claimed: “There is a feeling among some officers that John Terry has a case to answer.”
Chelsea centre-back Terry, 31, is said to have called Ferdinand a “f****** black c***” during a heated Premier League match last month.
Anton, 26, said he did not hear the alleged comment at the time but was alerted to the row after the final whistle.
Terry strenuously denies making racist remarks and insists his words have been taken out of context.
The incident is being investigated by a team of up to 10 Met officers who have examined video footage of the game and spoke to several witnesses.
Prosecutors will now have to consider if they have enough evidence to take the case to court, and whether it would be in the public interest.
Several police from Hammersmith and Fulham borough reportedly feel he should be charged – but it is the CPS who will decide.
They have quizzed defender Ferdinand as well as Chelsea stars about the 85th minute bust-up during the heated derby at Loftus Road on October 23.
The next day, following the announcement of an inquiry by the Met, Terry said: “I’ll do whatever it takes to clear my name. I don’t have anything to hide.”
It is understood Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas called the situation “a big misunderstanding” and is supporting his £150,000-a-week skipper.
Ferdinand has submitted his account of the exchange to the FA.
He said in a previous statement: “I have very strong feelings on the matter, but in the interests of fairness and not wishing to prejudice what I am sure will be a very thorough inquiry by the FA, this will be my last comment on the subject until the inquiry is concluded.”
However the conclusion of the FA investigation has been delayed while the police inquiry was being completed.
During the course of the police probe it was reported that Ferdinand received a death threat which led officers to recommend that he fit a panic alarm at his east-London home.
The details in the note were said to have been so graphic that cops told Ferdinand and other close relatives they must take immediate precautionary measures.
Despite the on-going investigation into his conduct, Terry was still given the captain’s armband during England’s 1-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday.
He has now led out the team 34 times – equalling Alan Shearer’s record – but was booed by some sections of the Wembley crowd when they played Sweden on Tuesday.
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