• John Terry trial

Terry in court for final speeches

John Terry outside the court © PA Photos

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John Terry's trial for allegedly using a racist insult continues on Thursday with final speeches from the defence and prosecution.

The 31-year-old is accused of accused of calling Anton Ferdinand a "f****** black c***'' during a Premier League game on October 23 last year. He denies a racially aggravated public order offence, and claims that he was sarcastically repeating the slur that Ferdinand mistakenly thought he had used.

On Wednesday, England and Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole said Terry should not have been brought to court over the claims.

Cole, also 31, told Westminster Magistrates' Court: "I think we shouldn't be sitting here.''

He said while racism should never be tolerated, repeating what you thought someone said was "completely different''.

Cole said: "If I repeated something that I thought you said, that's totally different than if someone just says something.''

The court was read a statement from former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who denied Terry was racist. Mourinho, who manages Spanish champions Real Madrid, said Terry had an excellent relationship with all the players regardless of ethnicity when he was Chelsea boss between June 2004 and September 2009. Terry also championed the FA's anti-racism campaigns.

Mourinho said: "I never once witnessed any demonstration of racism or racial abuse or behaviour. I am certain that John Terry is not a racist.''

Several players - including Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres and Petr Cech - had signed copies of a prepared statement that said: "I have never heard John Terry use any form of racist language and have never heard any suggestion that he may have done so.''

Earlier, Cole told the court that on the day of the match at Loftus Road, he saw Ferdinand make a fist gesture to imply sex and could see him saying something.

He said: "I can't make out - him either saying Bridgey (Cole made the fist gesture) or black.''

This has been taken as a taunt about Terry's alleged affair with Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend. Cole did not hear Terry say anything in reply to the goading, he said.

After the match, Cole was present when Terry asked Ferdinand what had happened

"I think John said 'did you think I called you a black c***, did you think I was being racist?' Then I said, 'did you think John was being racist?' Anton said, 'no, no.'''

The two players then shook hands and went their separate ways. It is expected that prosecution and defence counsel will give their closing speeches and Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle will give his verdict on Friday afternoon.

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