John Terry banned for four games after FA court finds him guilty of racism

John Terry has been banned for four games and fined £220,000 by the Football Association over charges he racially abused Anton Ferdinand.

Despite Westminster Magistrates Court finding the Chelsea and former England captain not guilty, the FA’s independent regulatory commission has found otherwise.

Terry denied the charge, but the FA found him guilty of misconduct at Chelsea’s clash with west London rivals QPR earlier this year.

“An independent regulatory commission has today found a charge of misconduct against John Terry proved and has issued a suspension for a period of four matches and a fine of £220,000, pending appeal,” an FA statement says.

"The Football Association charged Mr Terry on Friday 27 July 2012 with using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand and which included a reference to colour and/or race contrary to FA Rule E3[2] in relation to the Queens Park Rangers FC versus Chelsea FC fixture at Loftus Road on 23 October 2011.

"The charge was the result of The FA's long-standing investigation into this matter, which was placed on hold at the request of the Crown Prosecution Service and Mr Terry's representatives pending the outcome of the criminal trial.

Terry’s management said in a statement on behalf of the footballer: “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.”

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