Chelsea captain John Terry is facing a 12 match ban over his alleged race battle.

The Sunday Express says the FA have placed their own inquiry into the October 23 flashpoint, in which it is alleged Terry called Ferdinand a '******* black ****, on hold after learning that Terry is to face criminal charges over the incident when he appears at West London Magistrates Court on February 1.

Once that is resolved, the FA will get down to business and, as in the Luis Suarez case, Terry can expect a lengthy suspension if a guilty verdict is handed out by a commission.

Liverpool striker Suarez was banned for eight games and fined £40,000 after being found guilty of addressing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra as "negro".

If Terry is deemed to have uttered the alleged remarks then the punishment could be even greater than that meted out to Suarez.

There is talk of a possible 12- game suspension, although Terry has vowed to "fight tooth and nail" to prove his innocence adding in a statement: "I have campaigned against racism and believe there is no place for it in society."