FA ban Terry for racial abuse of Ferdinand

John Terry has been banned for four matches and fined £220,000 after being found guilty of racially abusing QPR'S Anton Ferdinand by an English FA independent regulatory commission.

John Terry drives away from Wembley Stadium after an English Football Association disciplinary committee found him guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, the Queens Park Rangers defender. Matt Dunham / AP Photo
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John Terry has been banned for four matches and fined £220,000 (Dh1.3 million) after being found guilty of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand by an English Football Association independent regulatory commission yesterday.

The Chelsea captain appeared before an FA disciplinary committee over charges that he racially abused the QPR defender in a Premier League match last October. He was acquitted over the incident in a court of law in July.

The 31 year old denied the FA charge but the commission ruled that he was guilty of misconduct.

"[John] is disappointed that the FA commission has reached a different conclusion to the clear not guilty verdict of a court of law," Terry's solicitors were quoted as saying in British media.

"He has asked for the detailed written reasons and will consider carefully before deciding whether to lodge an appeal."

Terry's penalty has been suspended until after the outcome of any appeal which must be received within 14 days.

"The Independent Regulatory Commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course," the FA said in a statement.

Chelsea play title rivals Arsenal in the Premier League tomorrow and are due to face Manchester United in the league and League Cup during the last week of October.

"Chelsea Football Club notes and respects today's decision by the Football Association regarding John Terry," Chelsea said in a statement after the four-day hearing concluded yesterday.

Terry announced his retirement from England duty on Sunday ahead of the FA disciplinary procedure, saying his position in the national team was "untenable".

Terry had previously been the England captain but on two occasions had the armband taken away by the coach Fabio Capello, in 2010 after revelations about his private life and in February over the Ferdinand allegations, a decision that led to the Italian's decision to resign.

The Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was handed an eight-game ban and £40,000 fine last December for racially abusing the Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Suarez used "insulting words" towards Evra during the game on October 15, with the Frenchman saying he had been insulted "at least 10 times".

Terry was found not guilty in Westminster Magistrates' Court in July of a racially-aggravated public order offence with the prosecution unable to prove their case.

* Agencies

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