John Terry retires from international soccer

England defender John Terry announced his retirement from international soccer last night, a matter of hours before facing Football Association charges of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, a prosecution that he claims has made his position with the national side "untenable."

Terry faces a ban of at least four games if found guilty of the charge. The Chelsea captain represented England 78 times and he appears to have taken that decision out of the FA’s hands, claiming that the decision to pursue him on charges of which he has already been acquitted in a court of law, was decisive.

He was cleared by Westminster Magistrates Court in July of a racially aggravated public order offence after he used the words “f—— black c—” in an angry exchange directed at Anton Ferdinand.

Terry said in statement: “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, 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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