John Terry given 4-game ban after FA guilty verdict

Chelsea captain John Terry has been banned for four matches and given a £220,000 fine by the FA after a hearing relating to the incident with Anton Ferdinand.

The England centre-back had been accused of racially abusing Ferdinand when the two played against each other at Loftus Road on 27 July, but was found not guilty by a court of law. The FA, however, had decided that the matter warranted a hearing of their own, and with lower standards of proof required, the Independent Regulatory Commission has found Terry guilty.

Shortly before the hearing began, former England captain Terry announced his retirement from international football, citing his position in the national team as 'untenable' due to the FA's investigation.

There will be question marks, however, over why Terry has been banned for four games when the only real precedent to the case - Luis Suarez - was banned for eight games.

Terry has a period of two weeks in which to lodge an appeal against the decision.