Date of birth: 7 December 1980
3 June 2003: First England cap as a substitute against
Serbia and Montenegro
15 August 2004: Replaces Marcel Desailly as Chelsea skipper
19 August 2006: Takes over from David Beckham as England
skipper on a permanent basis
5 February 2010: Stripped of England captaincy following a
meeting with Fabio Capello
19 March 2011: Restored in the job by Capello
21 December 2011: Crown Prosecution Service announce Terry
will be charged with racially abusing Ferdinand
13 July 2012: Cleared in court
23 September 2012: Announces his retirement from England
duty after 78 caps
Terry was cleared of abusing Ferdinand following the
culmination of his trial on 13 July but was subsequently charged by the FA two
weeks later for using alleged "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour"
towards the QPR defender during October's game at Loftus Road.
The court heard accusations Terry had insulted Ferdinand, describing him as
"black" and using extreme sexual swear words.
The prosecution had to prove beyond reasonable doubt Terry had used the
words in an insulting manner, which it could not.
However, the FA, whose charge includes an alleged "reference to the
ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Ferdinand", only has to prove
its case "on the balance of probabilities".
The defender telephoned England manager Roy Hodgson to inform him of his
decision before he released his statement on Sunday evening.
The FA said they would not be commenting on Terry's retirement.
Terry, who had two separate stints as England captain, played in the 5-0
World Cup qualifier victory over Moldova on 7 September. He made his debut in a
2-1 friendly victory over Serbia and Montenegro in 2003.
Terry was appointed as David Beckham's successor as England skipper in 2006
but was stripped of the position in 2010 following
allegations he had an affair with then England team-mate Wayne Bridge's
ex-girlfriend.
"John Terry will have been advised by his lawyers that he stands very
little chance of winning this case, regardless of him being cleared by a
criminal court in July. If found guilty, he will face a lengthy ban, and Roy
Hodgson would have come under huge pressure to drop him from England. It is
this which has proved decisive in ending one of the more remarkable England
playing careers. The FA could and should have reached this point in an
increasingly acrimonious saga sooner, but after being told by MPs last week
they needed to do more to fight racism in the sport, it's clear they had little
choice but to charge Terry. He believes the governing body has a vendetta
against him, but it's hard to see what choice they had."
He was re-appointed in
March 2011, but the FA relieved
him of the role again in February, a decision which precipitated the departure of manager
Fabio Capello.
In a statement, Terry said: "I am today announcing my retirement from
international football.
"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 and the team every success
for the future.
"I am making this statement today 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
national 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
continued support.
"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."
England face a pair of World Cup qualifiers next month. First they welcome
San Marino to Wembley on 12 October and then, four days later, meet Poland in
Warsaw.
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