FA face dilemma over John Terry
Lord Ouseley, the chairman of , is in no doubt that the Football Association should act now and suspend John Terry from the England captaincy.
That view will be echoed among many supporters but the FA says it cannot act until the criminal prosecution case against the defender has run its course.
Whatever the eventual outcome, the FA is duty bound to investigate. And the Crown Prosecution Service's unprecedented decision to charge such a senior figure for the alleged racial abuse of a fellow player will dominate the beginning of 2012 and beyond.
In the space of just 24 hours, the toxic issue of racism between players on the pitch has put English football back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
On Tuesday it was Luis Suarez. Wednesday, John Terry. Having sent such a strong message by , the FA knows it can't afford to be weak on another case even closer to home.