London - AFP
Chelsea captain John Terry was given a four-match ban by the Football Association (FA) after being found guilty of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers\' Anton Ferdinand on Thursday. An FA statement said an independent regulatory commisssion had issued a suspension for a period of four matches and a fine of £220,000 ($356,722, 276,000 euros) pending appeal. Former England skipper Terry, 31, was cleared of racially abusing Ferdinand in a criminal case in July over allegations relating to the same incident, which took place during a match in October. Terry dramatically announced his retirement from international football on Sunday, the day before the hearing started. He effectively accused the FA of forcing his hand after the governing body pressed on with charges following the court case.