FA bans Chelsea captain Terry for 4 matches for racially abusing opponent in match

LONDON – Chelsea captain John Terry was banned for four matches on Thursday for racially abusing an opponent in English football’s most high-profile racism case.

The former England captain was also fined 220,000 pounds ($356,000) for abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match in October 2011.

Both sanctions, announced after a four-day Football Association disciplinary hearing, are on hold pending appeal.

Terry was found guilty of directing abuse at Ferdinand by the FA despite being cleared by a criminal court in July of a racially-aggravated public order offence.

The FA said Terry used “abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour … which included a reference to colour and/or race.”

Terry was considering whether to appeal.

“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,” Terry’s management team said in a statement. “He has asked for the detailed written reasons of the decision and will consider them carefully before deciding whether to lodge an appeal.”

Before his FA hearing started on Monday, Terry announced his retirement from international football.

Terry is the second Premier League player in a year to be banned for racism. Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned for eight matches for abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during another game last October.