( CNN ) -- England soccer captain John Terry , who is accused of racially abusing another player during a match , will go on trial July 9 after his lawyers entered a plea of not guilty in a London Magistrate 's Court on Wednesday . Terry did not appear in person for the hearing . The trial date was set so far in the future because of Terry 's football match commitments . Grosvenor Law , which is representing the football player , said it will put forward a `` detailed and robust '' defense , adding that Terry is `` shocked and disgusted '' by the accusation . The case stems from comments the Chelsea footballer allegedly made to Queens Park Rangers player Anton Ferdinand in an English Premier League match last year . Alison Saunders , chief crown prosecutor for London , said Terry is being prosecuted for a `` racially aggravated public order offense '' because of the comments during the October 23 match . `` I am satisfied there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to prosecute this case , '' Saunders said in December . The maximum penalty for the offense is Â£2,500 ( $ 3,900 ) . The London-born defender denied the allegations . `` Mr. Terry has never racially abused another player in his entire career , '' his lawyers said Wednesday . Terry 's club has also backed him up . `` John has made it clear he denies the charge and is determined to do all he can to prove his innocence , '' the club said in a statement in December . `` Chelsea FC has always been fully supportive of John in this matter and there is no question that we will continue to be so . Terry 's position as England captain has come under scrutiny since the allegations were made , and the court case will come before the team 's next match at home against the Netherlands on February 29 . The English Football Association 's former chief executive , David Davies , said the ruling body might take action later if Terry is found guilty . `` The FA would most certainly go down that road , '' Davies said in December . `` England is the country which first embraced the idea of using the power of football to face racism back in the 1990s . England has not , unlike many other countries , swept this issue under the carpet . `` He can most certainly still play for England , as things stand . You always start with the premise of innocence until proven guilty . He will , to be sure , fight these charges with a vehemence . '' In another case last year , Liverpool 's Luis Suarez was suspended and fined for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra . Suarez was suspended for eight matches and fined Â£40,000 ( $ 63,000 ) , England 's Football Association announced in December . Evra said Suarez repeatedly shouted a racial slur at him during the October 15 match and demanded that Suarez be held accountable . Suarez did not specify what he said , but said it was n't offensive . And his club issued a statement saying it was `` very surprised and disappointed '' with the decision . Racist taunts , alleged and proven , have dogged English football for years . On Saturday , police arrested a man on suspicion of making a racially abusive gesture at a high-profile soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester United earlier that day . Also in January , Merseyside police arrested a 20-year-old man on `` suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offense '' following a Liverpool match against Oldham .
NEW : The trial date is not so far in the future because of Ferguson 's work commitments . NEW : He is ` ` shocked and disgusted '' by the accusation , his lawyers say . The case stems from comments the Chelsea footballer allegedly made to Anton ##ini . Racist comments , alleged and proven , have dogged English football for decades .