England captain charged: John Terry factfile

The Chelsea and England star has denied making the alleged comments (Reuters)

John Terry has been charged with racially abusing an opponent. We take a look at his career...

1980: December 7 - born in London.

1998: October 28 - Makes Chelsea debut against Aston Villa.

2001: September - One of four players fined two weeks' wages by Chelsea after their behaviour at a Heathrow hotel is criticised on the day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

2002: Terry and Chelsea team-mate Jody Morris are cleared after being charged with assault and affray in connection with a nightclub incident. Terry, uncapped at the time, is ruled out of the World Cup after the Football Association decide he should not be considered for international duty with England until the legal case is completed.

2003: June 3 - Makes England debut as substitute against Serbia and Montenegro.

2004: June 24 - Penalised for foul on Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo, denying Sol Campbell a winner in the Euro 2004 quarter-final.

August 15 - Appointed Chelsea captain, succeeding Marcel Desailly.

2006: August 10 - Chosen to replace David Beckham as England captain by head coach Steve McClaren.

November 30 - Charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for comments about referee Graham Poll. Later admits the charge and is reprimanded and fined £10,000.

2008: May 21 - Misses penalty in shoot-out against Manchester United which would have won Chelsea the Champions League.

August 19 - Named as permanent captain of England by Fabio Capello.

2009: July - Manchester City have two bids for Terry turned down.

December 20 - Chelsea defend Terry after allegations he took secret cash payments to lay on a behind-the-scenes tour of the club's training ground.

2010: January 29: Named as the sportsman behind a gagging injunction involving his private life. A court order had previously been in place, covering an alleged relationship between married Terry and French model Vanessa Perroncel, a former partner of team-mate Wayne Bridge.

February 5: Axed as England captain following a meeting with Capello.

February 27: Bridge refuses to shake Terry's hand before Chelsea's match with Manchester City.

2011: March 19 - Restored to the role of permanent England captain by Capello.

October 23 - Releases a statement denying he made a racist slur against Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's defeat at QPR after videos had circulated on the internet.

October 25 - Scotland Yard announce they are assessing allegations of racist abuse of Ferdinand by Terry after a complaint from the member of the public.

November 1 - The Metropolitan Police confirm they have launched a formal investigation.

November 5 - Capello confirms Terry will be selected for the friendlies against Spain and Sweden.

November 28 - Terry is interviewed under caution.

December 1 - Scotland Yard announce they have passed a file towards to prosecutors.

December 21 - The Crown Prosecution Service announce Terry will be charged with racially abusing Ferdinand and is due to appear before West London Magistrates' Court on February 1, 2012.

PA