John Terry has ended his career as an England footballer. Terry announced his retirement ahead of facing a personal hearing with the Football Association over a disciplinary charge relating to alleged comments to QPR defender Anton Ferdinand. Terry thanked the England Managers for their support during his international career.
“I would like to thank the England managers who have selected me for my 78 caps. I have had great pleasure in sharing that honour with all the players that I’ve played with. I would like to thank them, the fans and my family for their support and encouragement during my international career. I now look forward to playing for Chelsea FC, and
challenging for domestic and European honours.” He said
Terry 31 will go before an independent four-man commission on Monday, which was convened under the auspices of the FA, to defend himself against a charge of using racially abusive language towards Ferdinand, the Queens Park Rangers defender.
Terry was cleared of abusing Ferdinand following the culmination of his trial on 13 July but was subsequently charged by the FA two weeks later for using alleged “abusive and or insulting words and/or behaviour” towards the QPR defender during October’s game at Loftus Road.
The court heard accusations Terry had insulted Ferdinand, describing him as “black” and using extreme swear words.
The prosecution had to prove beyond reasonable doubt Terry had used the words in an insulting manner, which it could not.