John Terry has announced his retirement from international football, less than 24 hours before the start of the Football Association's hearing into the Anton Ferdinand saga.

The former England captain issued a statement explaining his decision, accusing the FA of making his position with the team "untenable".

The hearing into allegations that Terry used a racist slur towards the QPR defender last season follows Terry being found not guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence at Westminster Magistrates Court in July.

A guilty verdict over what is a similar offence under FA rules would have put pressure on the game's governing body to prevent Terry playing for England, having already stripped him of the England captaincy while he awaited trial.

The defender has now taken that decision out of their hands, ending his nine-year international career himself.

The 31-year-old said in a 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 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 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 continuing support."

Terry made his England debut in 2003 as a substitute against Serbia and Montenegro. He was named captain in 2008 by Fabio Capello but was then stripped of the role in February 2010 following allegations over an affair with the French model Vanessa Perroncel – a former partner of his England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

He regained the captaincy in March 2011 but lost it once more in February. The decision was then taken by members of the 14-strong FA board, without consulting Capello, a decision which prompted the Italian to resign.

masterkey11: so make we dey run?onpe for them jooooo.what can england do self.No creativity.Wish him best of luck tho

shadrach77: That is why England will always under-perform at international level. A wise country would have made the effort to defend one her best players. I support his decision. The guy felt hard done by as he felt he was been unduly victimized by the same organisation which is supposed to protect him. I don't think he is racist. We all say things we don't mean in the heat of the moment. Terry, i wish you best of luck in your career

paris10:

You guys are just outsiders really. JT is one of the most obnoxious, egoistic mutherfcuuker out there. He's a Mafia and has a family full of criminals.

JT has always gone away with murder. He has never been convicted of any charges brought against him due to his high profile status as England skipper. Yes, he's got over 10 charges of criminal damages!.

The FA has had enough and couldn't defend him any more. They actually did him a favour by allowing his racist slur to go to court. FA knew he was going to get acquitted, which he did. The only problem is, the association of equal opportunity for minorities stick to their gut and wouldn't allow the FA a breathing space. The association demanded a fair hearing citing the Suarez-Evra case.

There was actually enough evidence to convict Terry. It wouldn't take rocket science to know what Terry was saying to Anton Ferdinand. Every TV station in the country agreed that Terry racially abused Anton, except ofcourse, the bias Judge.

In November 2006, JT racially abused Ledley King, but later apologised and was fined 10,000 pounds by the FA. JT crimes were known to the media but told to always shield the then England captain. His mum is a thief, caught stealing 800 pounds worth of clothes from Marks & Spenser.

You want to know more about this guy? Well, here are more..

* Immediately after hearing the news of the September 11 attack, JT was at the airport where he met some Americans visiting England. He then started saying profanity and abusing words to these tourists about the attack.

* January 2002,JT was charged of assault and affray, ofcourse, he was found not guilty.Though he was banned for playing for England during the hearings.


*Again in January 2002, this guy deliberately used the Disabled parking lot for his Bentley. Fined 60 pounds and warned for his behaviour...

*2009, JT took bribe from under cover reporter. Even with evidence, JT was sided by his manager and the FA.

*In 2009 again, JT was reported to have had extramarital affair with Vanessa Perroncel, Wayne Bridge's ex. The High court imposed a super-injunction preventing all media to publish JT length of flings with that lady.

So you have it! They've had enough of covering his a.s.s.

paris10:

You guys are just outsiders really. JT is one of the most obnoxious, egoistic mutherfcuuker out there. He's a Mafia and has a family full of criminals.

JT has always gone away with murder. He has never been convicted of any charges brought against him due to his high profile status as England skipper. Yes, he's got over 10 charges of criminal damages!.

The FA has had enough and couldn't defend him any more. They actually did him a favour by allowing his racist slur to go to court. FA knew he was going to get acquitted, which he did. The only problem is, the association of equal opportunity for minorities stick to their gut and wouldn't allow the FA a breathing space. The association demanded a fair hearing citing the Suarez-Evra case.

There was actually enough evidence to convict Terry. It wouldn't take rocket science to know what Terry was saying to Anton Ferdinand. Every TV station in the country agreed that Terry racially abused Anton, except ofcourse, the bias Judge.

In November 2006, JT racially abused Ledley King, but later apologised and was fined 10,000 pounds by the FA. JT crimes were known to the media but told to always shield the then England captain. His mum is a thief, caught stealing 800 pounds worth of clothes from Marks & Spenser.

You want to know more about this guy? Well, here are more..

* Immediately after hearing the news of the September 11 attack, JT was at the airport where he met some Americans visiting England. He then started saying profanity and abusing words to these tourists about the attack.

* January 2002,JT was charged of assault and affray, ofcourse, he was found not guilty.Though he was banned for playing for England during the hearings.


*Again in January 2002, this guy deliberately used the Disabled parking lot for his Bentley. Fined 60 pounds and warned for his behaviour...

*2009, JT took bribe from under cover reporter. Even with evidence, JT was sided by his manager and the FA.

*In 2009 again, JT was reported to have had extramarital affair with Vanessa Perroncel, Wayne Bridge's ex. The High court imposed a super-injunction preventing all media to publish JT length of flings with that lady.

So you have it! They've had enough of covering his a.s.s.

Remmyode:

I thought you said John Terry is a muderer, I was patiently waiting to read in your post which member of your family he killed and he got away with.
This is just the Misery of HATRED. May God forgive you Bro. By the way, Are you Ferdinand? Just curious.

Remmyode:

I thought you said John Terry is a muderer, I was patiently waiting to read in your post which member of your family he killed and he got away with.
This is just the Misery of HATRED. May God forgive you Bro. By the way, Are you Ferdinand? Just curious.

Remmyode: I thought you said John Terry is a muderer, I was patiently waiting to read in your post which member of your family he killed and he got away with.
This is just the Misery of HATRED. May God forgive you Bro. By the way, Are you Ferdinand? Just curious.

paris10:

You guys are just outsiders really. JT is one of the most obnoxious, egoistic mutherfcuuker out there. He's a Mafia and has a family full of criminals.

JT has always gone away with murder. He has never been convicted of any charges brought against him due to his high profile status as England skipper. Yes, he's got over 10 charges of criminal damages!.

The FA has had enough and couldn't defend him any more. They actually did him a favour by allowing his racist slur to go to court. FA knew he was going to get acquitted, which he did. The only problem is, the association of equal opportunity for minorities stick to their gut and wouldn't allow the FA a breathing space. The association demanded a fair hearing citing the Suarez-Evra case.

There was actually enough evidence to convict Terry. It wouldn't take rocket science to know what Terry was saying to Anton Ferdinand. Every TV station in the country agreed that Terry racially abused Anton, except ofcourse, the bias Judge.

In November 2006, JT racially abused Ledley King, but later apologised and was fined 10,000 pounds by the FA. JT crimes were known to the media but told to always shield the then England captain. His mum is a thief, caught stealing 800 pounds worth of clothes from Marks & Spenser.

You want to know more about this guy? Well, here are more..

* Immediately after hearing the news of the September 11 attack, JT was at the airport where he met some Americans visiting England. He then started saying profanity and abusing words to these tourists about the attack.

* January 2002,JT was charged of assault and affray, ofcourse, he was found not guilty.Though he was banned for playing for England during the hearings.


*Again in January 2002, this guy deliberately used the Disabled parking lot for his Bentley. Fined 60 pounds and warned for his behaviour...

*2009, JT took bribe from under cover reporter. Even with evidence, JT was sided by his manager and the FA.

*In 2009 again, JT was reported to have had extramarital affair with Vanessa Perroncel, Wayne Bridge's ex. The High court imposed a super-injunction preventing all media to publish JT length of flings with that lady.

So you have it! They've had enough of covering his a.s.s.

paris10:

what a stupid statement. So typical of gullible Nigerians like you, must you always involve God in every statement you make? Soon now Jesus will start telling his father about someone like you who calls God's name in vain.

Be constructive. Those are the facts about Terry. You can't hide criminal history in the UK. UK is not Nigeria you know!

paris10:

You guys are just outsiders really. JT is one of the most obnoxious, egoistic mutherfcuuker out there. He's a Mafia and has a family full of criminals.

JT has always gone away with murder. He has never been convicted of any charges brought against him due to his high profile status as England skipper. Yes, he's got over 10 charges of criminal damages!.

The FA has had enough and couldn't defend him any more. They actually did him a favour by allowing his racist slur to go to court. FA knew he was going to get acquitted, which he did. The only problem is, the association of equal opportunity for minorities stick to their gut and wouldn't allow the FA a breathing space. The association demanded a fair hearing citing the Suarez-Evra case.

There was actually enough evidence to convict Terry. It wouldn't take rocket science to know what Terry was saying to Anton Ferdinand. Every TV station in the country agreed that Terry racially abused Anton, except ofcourse, the bias Judge.

you are the muthrfk**r!! go get life!

In November 2006, JT racially abused Ledley King, but later apologised and was fined 10,000 pounds by the FA. JT crimes were known to the media but told to always shield the then England captain. His mum is a thief, caught stealing 800 pounds worth of clothes from Marks & Spenser.

You want to know more about this guy? Well, here are more..

* Immediately after hearing the news of the September 11 attack, JT was at the airport where he met some Americans visiting England. He then started saying profanity and abusing words to these tourists about the attack.

* January 2002,JT was charged of assault and affray, ofcourse, he was found not guilty.Though he was banned for playing for England during the hearings.


*Again in January 2002, this guy deliberately used the Disabled parking lot for his Bentley. Fined 60 pounds and warned for his behaviour...

*2009, JT took bribe from under cover reporter. Even with evidence, JT was sided by his manager and the FA.

*In 2009 again, JT was reported to have had extramarital affair with Vanessa Perroncel, Wayne Bridge's ex. The High court imposed a super-injunction preventing all media to publish JT length of flings with that lady.

So you have it! They've had enough of covering his a.s.s.

jadakiss213: stop misinforming the public..Terry only got his first cap '03 so how come he was banned 2002?? Facts indeed

shadrach77: That is why England will always under-perform at international level. A wise country would have made the effort to defend one her best players. I support his decision. The guy felt hard done by as he felt he was been unduly victimized by the same organisation which is supposed to protect him. I don't think he is racist. We all say things we don't mean in the heat of the moment. Terry, i wish you best of luck in your career

[size=13pt] Defend him ? why ? because Ferdinand is 'what' ? an alien ? That he is England's skipper or finest defender gives him no license to misbehave the way he's been doing. Being lenient with him for that reason would have been the height of injustice.
From ashawo duty to racist, John Terry is a bloody mofo.
He's been dealing his victims 2-hit combos with his silly escapades. Fawked Wayne's girlfriend and Wayne gets left out of the world cup squad; abused Rio's brother and Rio gets left out of the euro squad.
Good riddance to arrant nonsense.
abeg go back to Chelshit and score yourself an own goal jor [/size]

paris10:

You guys are just outsiders really. JT is one of the most obnoxious, egoistic mutherfcuuker out there. He's a Mafia and has a family full of criminals.

JT has always gone away with murder. He has never been convicted of any charges brought against him due to his high profile status as England skipper. Yes, he's got over 10 charges of criminal damages!.

The FA has had enough and couldn't defend him any more. They actually did him a favour by allowing his racist slur to go to court. FA knew he was going to get acquitted, which he did. The only problem is, the association of equal opportunity for minorities stick to their gut and wouldn't allow the FA a breathing space. The association demanded a fair hearing citing the Suarez-Evra case.

There was actually enough evidence to convict Terry. It wouldn't take rocket science to know what Terry was saying to Anton Ferdinand. Every TV station in the country agreed that Terry racially abused Anton, except ofcourse, the bias Judge.

In November 2006, JT racially abused Ledley King, but later apologised and was fined 10,000 pounds by the FA. JT crimes were known to the media but told to always shield the then England captain. His mum is a thief, caught stealing 800 pounds worth of clothes from Marks & Spenser.

You want to know more about this guy? Well, here are more..

* Immediately after hearing the news of the September 11 attack, JT was at the airport where he met some Americans visiting England. He then started saying profanity and abusing words to these tourists about the attack.

* January 2002,JT was charged of assault and affray, ofcourse, he was found not guilty.Though he was banned for playing for England during the hearings.


*Again in January 2002, this guy deliberately used the Disabled parking lot for his Bentley. Fined 60 pounds and warned for his behaviour...

*2009, JT took bribe from under cover reporter. Even with evidence, JT was sided by his manager and the FA.

*In 2009 again, JT was reported to have had extramarital affair with Vanessa Perroncel, Wayne Bridge's ex. The High court imposed a super-injunction preventing all media to publish JT length of flings with that lady.

So you have it! They've had enough of covering his a.s.s.