Terry holds the fort

England and Chelsea skipper John Terry has come under intense pressure after being charged for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, but is adamant he is not guilty and is standing firm.

Terry is alleged to have abused Ferdinand when the two sides met at Loftus Road in October of last year, and calls from some quarters have demanded he step down as England captain as he faces a court case following this summer's Euro 2012 tournament.

A source close to Terry reportedly told the BBC: "He won't stand down. He is sure of his innocence and thus feels it would be wrong to do so."

Terry’s case was adjourned until July 9 on Wednesday, making him available to take part in Euro 2012 for England, a decision that has been blasted by MP Damian Collins, who spoke to Goal.com on Thursday.

Collins said: "Frankly it is appalling that the court case isn't being heard until July and this due to the judicial process being held up by the football calendar."

"These are very serious charges and we simply cannot have a position where a charge like this can be made but nothing at all is done, under the pretence that it hasn’t happened until after the court case."

"By wearing the armband, Terry has a public position. He represents football in this country and is a person that people will look up to."

"But his standing as a role-model has been compromised by the charges that he faces of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, and for the good of the team he should stand aside as captain until he can clear his name."