Video: Football star Terry to stand trial for alleged racist slur
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Terry gets trial date
John Terry is told he will stand trial for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand on July 9th
England football captain John Terry denies racially abusing Anton Ferdinand and will stand trial for the offence, a court heard yesterday.
The player did not attend the short hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, but his barrister, George Carter-Stephenson, entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
Mr Terry (31) is accused of a racially-aggravated public order offence over video footage which appears to show him shout an offensive comment at Queens Park Rangers defender Ferdinand during a Premier League match last October.
The public gallery was packed with journalists for the hour-long hearing, which covered the timing of the trial and arrangements for witnesses.
Mr Carter-Stephenson handed the district judge a letter from Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay, who appealed for the trial to be delayed until after his players' domestic and international footballing commitments are over for the season. The final of Euro 2012, which is being hosted by Poland and Ukraine, takes place on July 1.
Mr Terry, who faces a maximum fine of £2,500 (€3,000) if convicted, has repeatedly denied making the alleged slur during the game at Loftus Road on October 23 last year.
The footballer's solicitors, Grosvenor Law, said in a statement after the hearing: "Now that the court has fixed a date for trial, Mr Terry looks forward to the opportunity to clear his name.
"Mr Terry has never racially abused another player in his entire career."
- Sam Marsden in London
Irish Independent
