Footballers deny assault charges

John Terry: Mobbed by the media on arrival at court

Three football players charged in connection with an alleged nightclub assault have pleaded not guilty at a London court.

Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris, 23, defender John Terry, 21, and Wimbledon defender Desmond Byrne, 20, all face charges of causing actual bodily harm and affray.

Jody Morris plays in Chelsea's midfield

Wednesday's hearing at Horseferry Road magistrates court lasted just under an hour. Committal proceedings ahead of the crown court case will be held on 20 February.

The three were granted bail, meaning they are available to play for their clubs. Mr Morris and Mr Terry played for Chelsea in their crucial Worthington Cup semi-final clash with Tottenham later on Wednesday.

Identical bail conditions were imposed on all the players by district court judge Roger Davies.

Desmond Byrne is available to play for Wimbledon

They must stay at their present home address, not go within half a mile of the Wellington Club in Knightsbridge, central London, and not have any contact or interfere with prosecution witnesses.

A crowd of reporters and photographers surrounded each player as they arrived separately before the hearing.

The charges relate to an incident at the private members' Wellington Club on 4 January during which a doorman was allegedly assaulted.

Both Mr Morris, from Surrey, and Mr Terry, from Epsom, have been fined two weeks' wages by their club for being on licensed premises less than 24 hours before a game.