John Terry verdict due at 2pm

Chelsea captain John Terry will discover the outcome of his trial for allegedly racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand at 2pm today.

The judge announced yesterday that he will give his verdict on Friday before Westminster Magistrates' Court adjourned following the closing statements from the prosecution and defence.

The 31-year-old defender has maintained that he was simply repeating the words "f****** black c***" said to him by Ferdinand on the pitch during a West London derby at Loftus Road last October, while the prosecution argued that it was "straightforward racial abuse" from Terry.

Prosecutor Mr Duncan Penny said: "If it's rhetorical repetition, why does the word 'and' feature at all? Why are any other words spoken by Mr Terry at all, beyond 'a black c***'?".

Speaking for the defence, George Carter-Stephenson, said: "This is not a case about racism. The prosecution in cross-examination conceded that he is not a racist. There is an abundance of evidence in this case to prove that fact."

Terry denies the racially-aggravated public order. If the England international is found guilty, he faces a maximum fine of £2,500.