John Terry Set For Trial In Anton Ferdinand Racial Abuse

Chelsea captain John Terry 'racially abused' QPR's Anton Ferdinand in response to taunts about his alleged affair with a team-mate's ex-girlfriend, a court heard on the first day of the pair's racism-row trial.

The 31-year-old allegedly called QPR defender Ferdinand a 'f****** black c***'.

Terry is accused of a racially aggravated public order offence during a Barclays Premier League match on October 23 last year, which was broadcast to millions of people.
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Terry sat in the dock wearing a light grey suit, white shirt and pink tie.

The court heard that Terry told Ferdinand to 'f*** off" and also called him a "f****** k*******' as the pair exchanged insults.

Opening the prosecution, Duncan Penny said: 'The Crown alleges that the words he used demonstrated hostility based on Mr Ferdinand's membership or presumed membership of a racial group.
Accused: Terry denies any wrongdoing after being charged with shouting an offensive comment to Ferdinand

Accused: Terry denies any wrongdoing after being charged with shouting an offensive comment to Ferdinand

The court heard that Terry maintains he was only sarcastically repeating words that Ferdinand wrongly thought he had used.

Mr Penny said: 'The Crown alleges that the defendant, most probably in response to physical gestures being made by Mr Ferdinand which the defendant understood to refer to the well-publicised allegation of an extra-marital affair with a team-mate's wife, shouted at Mr Ferdinand.'
No sentence: Terry doesn't face a jail term

No sentence: Terry doesn't face a jail term

He went on: 'The Crown's case is that the words were abusive and insulting in a straightforward sense and that the term 'f****** black c***' was uttered as an abusive insult demonstrating hostility based on Mr Ferdinand's membership of a racial group.

'They were uttered by the defendant in response to goading by Mr Ferdinand on the issue of his extra-marital affair, rather than by way of exaggerated and instant querying of a perceived false allegation.'

 

Terry was allowed out of the dock into the well of the court to view footage of the alleged insult.

Before the case started, defence barrister George Carter-Stephenson QC asked for Terry to be allowed to sit beside him in the well of the court rather than in the dock.

District Judge Howard Riddle rejected the request.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, controversially axed from Roy Hodgson's 23-man Euro 2012 squad, tweeted support for his brother on Monday.

'Morning all! Frazzled head this morning, school run done! @anton_ferdinand head high bruv,' Ferdinand said.

Terry denies any wrongdoing and has hired the services of experienced and highly respected QC, George Carter-Stephenson, to lead his defence.

The case is being heard by Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle, and there is no jury.