Terry 'Abuse Was Response To Affair Slur'

Chelsea and England footballer John Terry racially abused fellow player Anton Ferdinand in response to a slur over his alleged affair with a teammate's ex-girlfriend, a court has heard.

Terry, 31, was charged with a racially-aggravated public order offence after allegedly shouting an offensive comment at Ferdinand during a Premier League match on October 23 last year. He denies the accusation.

The comment was allegedly made, and seemingly caught on footage, to the Queens Park Rangers defender when the two teams met at Loftus Road.

And Duncan Penny, prosecuting, told London's Westminster Magistrates' Court that Terry's comment followed a slur issued by Mr Ferdinand relating to a "well-publicised allegation of an extra-marital affair" involving Terry and the ex-girlfriend of former teammate Wayne Bridge.

He said Mr Ferdinand said to Terry: "Oi you, s******* your mate's missus."

Mr Penny said Terry responded by calling Mr Ferdinand a "f****** black c***".

The court heard that Terry accepts he used those words, but that the defence will claim they were part of a "sarcastic exclamation or inquiry to a perceived false accusation".

Terry's lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in February at the court - where his arrival today was met by scores of media from across the world.

The Chelsea captain's trial was delayed until after the Euro 2012 championships after Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle heard that a number of other Chelsea players would not be able to appear as witnesses until the end of the football season.

Terry, who has a net worth of £26m according to this year's Sunday Times Rich List, faces a maximum fine of £2,500 if convicted.

The case is expected to last five days and will be heard by Mr Riddle and no jury.

Sky Sports