Chelsea and England defender John Terry arrived in court on Monday for his trial on charges of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand during a football match last year.
Terry, 31, is accused of a racially aggravated public order offence following the emergence of video footage which appeared to show him abusing the Queens Park Rangers defender, who is mixed race, during a Premier League match in October 2011.
Terry, who was wearing a grey suit and pink tie, did not speak to reporters as he arrived at the court in central London on Monday.
A few supporters outside shouted "Good luck, John!"
At an earlier hearing his lawyers entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
If found guilty Terry could be fined up to £2,500 (3,150 euros, $3,850), although the damage to the player's lucrative commercial deals would likely be far greater.
His trial was delayed until after the Euro 2012 championships after a judge heard that a number of other Chelsea players would be unable to appear as witnesses until the end of the football season.
Terry was stripped of the England captaincy by the English Football Association in February as a result of the allegations. Fabio Capello resigned as England coach following that decision.
The case also caused friction when Anton Ferdinand's brother, Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, was left out of the Euro 2012 squad last month.
AFP, photo by Ronnie Macdonald