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John Terry

John Terry banned for 4 matches, fined £220k for Ferdinand racial abuse

The FA announced Terry’s punishment after an independent commission upheld a misconduct charge against him on Thursday.

Updated 15.45

CHELSEA CAPTAIN JOHN Terry has been banned for four matches and fined £220,000 by the Football Association after he was found guilty of racial abuse towards Anton Ferdinand.

The FA announced Terry’s punishment on Thursday afternoon following the conclusion of a four-day hearing before an independent regulatory commission.

The former England captain now has 14 days to appeal the decision, which signals the end of the FA’s long-standing investigation into an altercation between Terry and Ferdinand during a Premier League game in October 2011.

Terry has always denied using racial terms towards the QPR defender and was cleared of having committed a “racially aggravated offence” by the Westminster Magistrates Court in July.

Shortly afterwards the FA announced its intention to conduct its own investigation. Contrary to FA Rule E3[2], Terry, 31, was charged with “using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand and which included a reference to colour and/or race.”

In a statement released through his management agency on Thursday, Terry said that he would consider the panel’s full written report before deciding whether or not to appeal.

As his suspension and fine will not take effect until after the outc0me of any appeal, or until the window for an appeal expires, Terry could line out for Chelsea in Saturday’s derby at Arsenal.

“Mr. Terry is disappointed that the FA Regulatory Commission has reached a different conclusion to the clear not guilty verdict of a court of law,” his statement said.

“He has asked for the detailed written reasons of the decision and will consider them carefully before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.”

In a brief statement of their own, Chelsea said that the club “notes and respects” the FA’s decision but that it would be “inappropriate” for them to comment further pending a possible appeal.

“Chelsea Football Club notes and respects today’s decision by the Football Association regarding John Terry.

“We also recognise that John has the right to appeal that decision.

“It is therefore inappropriate for us to comment further on the matter at this time.”

Capped 78 times for England, Terry dramatically retired from international football on the eve of his FA hearing.

“I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable,” he said on Sunday.

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