LONDON — Chelsea captain John Terry has been banned for four domestic matches after a hearing found him guilty of racial abuse, the English FA said Thursday. Terry appeared before a Football Association disciplinary committee over charges that he racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a Premier League match last October. He was acquitted over the incident in the law courts in July. “(John) is disappointed that the FA commission has reached a different conclusion to the clear not guilty verdict of a court of law,” Terry's solicitors were quoted as saying in British media. Terry has also been fined 220,000 pounds ($355,00) and the penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal which must be received within 14 days. “The Independent Regulatory Commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course,” the FA said in a statement. Chelsea plays title rival Arsenal in the Premier League Saturday and is due to face Manchester United in the league and League Cup during the last week of October. “Chelsea Football Club notes and respects today's decision by the Football Association regarding John Terry,” Chelsea said in a statement after the four-day hearing. The 31-year-old Terry retired from England duty Sunday ahead of the FA disciplinary procedure, saying his position in the national team was “untenable”. Terry had previously been England captain but on two occasions had the armband taken away by coach Fabio Capello, in 2010 after revelations about his private life and in February over the Ferdinand allegations, a decision that led the Italian to quit.— Reuters
