By Andrew Warshaw
September 23 – Former England captain John Terry sensationally announced his retirement from international football tonight at the age of 31 – just as another hearing into allegations of racism against him is about to begin.
The Chelsea skipper was cleared by a magistrates’ court in July of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League game between the teams in October last year.
However, Terry (pictured top and below), who has won 78 caps for England, is to face a Football Association (FA) disciplinary hearing over similar charges – understood to be starting tomorrow at a secret venue in London.
While the prosecution in Terry’s court case had to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he had used the alleged words in an insulting manner – which it could not – the FA only has to prove its case “on the balance of probabilities”.
A guilty verdict would put huge pressure on both the FA and Terry who was stripped of the England captaincy while he awaited trial, a decision the forced the resignation of Fabio Capello – replaced as national team manager by Roy Hodgson.
But the defender, whose career has been plagued with controversy on and off the field, made it easy for the authorities by ending his nine-year international career himself.
Terry, who is alleged to have used “abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour” vehemently denies the claims but is nevertheless giving up playing for his country with immediate effect, accusing the FA of making his position “untenable” and saying the decision “breaks my heart”.
In a statement Terry, who has played for England since 2003, had two separate stints as captain and most recently played in the 5-0 FIFA World Cup qualifier victory over Moldova, said: “I am today announcing my retirement from international football.
“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.
“Representing and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been a truly great honour.
“I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision.
“I want to wish Roy [Hodgson] and the team every success for the future.
“I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the FA disciplinary charge because 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.
“I now look forward to playing for Chelsea FC, and challenging for domestic and European honours, and I want to thank the fans and the club for their continued support.”
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