John Terry defends 'racist' comments as 'sarcasm'

Chelsea captain John Terry has admitted that he used racist language while addressing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand but it was deemed 'exaggerated sarcasm', a court has heard today.

The England international arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court today to begin the trial for allegedly racially abusing Ferdinand during a West London derby at Loftus Road last October.

The court heard that the centre-back allegedly called Ferdinand a "f**king black c***" after the QPR defender shouted an insult relating to Terry's previous high-profile extra-marital affair with a former teammate's wife.

The defence claimed that Terry's words were "uttered by way of sarcastic exclamation or enquiry in relation to a perceived accusation by Mr Ferdinand".

The trial is expected to last five days.