English Soccer Star Faces Criminal Charge of Racism

The captain of England's soccer team faces a criminal charge of hurling racial insults at an opponent during a game, the BBC reports. John Terry allegedly let loose on black player Anton Ferdinand during a match in October. Prosecutors studied the footage and said it amounted to a "racially aggravated public order defense," notes AP. Terry is using the old my-remarks-were-taken-out-of-context defense and vows to clear his name.

"I have never aimed a racist remark at anyone and count people from all races and creeds among my closest friends," he says. "I will fight tooth and nail to prove my innocence." The charges are part of a larger crackdown on racism in soccer, and a Liverpool player might find himself in a similar predicament. Bleacher Report has more on that here. (More soccer stories.)