TERRY IN COURT

[jalovice]

The Chelsea captain, John Terry, has denied racially abusing Queens Park Rangers's Anton Ferdinand, admitting that he used racist and offensive language but arguing that he only did so "sarcastically".

Terry, 31, shouted "fuck off, fuck off ... fucking black c#nt, fucking knobhead", at Ferdinand, 27, after being "goaded" by the QPR defender over an alleged affair with a "team-mate's missus", during the heated incident at Loftus Road, Westminster magistrates court heard.

Terry did not deny using the racist language during the match on 23 October 2011, which was shown on television pictures broadcast to millions worldwide.

Asked why he was "reluctant" to involve police, Ferdinand said he had wanted it to be "dealt with by the FA" as it happened on the pitch. He had "no reason" to make up the allegation or add a racial element to provoke Terry, he said.

Carter-Stephenson claimed Ferdinand's agent Justin Rigby said there was a fear that if no further action was taken, black footballers would see it as "a white man's word against a black man's word". He alleged Ferdinand decided to go to the police only when Rigby persuaded him to, a claim denied by the player.

∵ Trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court expected to last five days
∵ Terry faces maximum fine of £2,500 but no prospect of jail (for comparison: luis suarez was fined £40,000 for similar language)
∵ FA inquiry has been postponed until after criminal case
∵ Police launched investigation after member of the public complained
∵ Terry ordered to sit in dock despite request to be placed beside his lawyer (lol sucks to be you)
∵ Stephen Lawrence's mother Doreen attended today's hearing (info on stephen)

figured we should talk about this
i love that he's not denying saying racist shit and yet is denying being racist lolwat