John Terry
Terry has pleaded not guilty. REUTERS

John Terry has denied racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in court today, with the Chelsea captain pleading not guilty at the Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Terry didn't appear in court, but his barrister George Carter-Stephenson QC recorded the plea on the England international's behalf.

The charge relates to an incident on October 23 when John Terry was seen on camera saying what appeared to be a racist comment towards Ferdinand after the match, and after a member of the public reported him to the police, criminal proceedings have been taking place since.

If Terry is found guilty of a racially-aggravated public order offence, he could be fined up to £2,500, which is the maximum sentence for the crime.

BREAKING: John Terry will face trial over alledgedly racially abusing Anton Ferdinand after the 2012 European Football Tournament, with the date for the trial set at July 9.