LONDON: John Terry brought his long and often controversial England career to an end on Sunday when the Chelsea defender announced his retirement from international football.
The 31-year-old, capped 78 times since his debut in 2003 and who appeared at two World Cups, issued a statement saying his position in the national team had become untenable due to the Football Association’s impending case against him.
Terry was due before an FA tribunal on Monday facing charges of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League game last October despite being acquitted in the law courts in July.
“I am today announcing my retirement from international football,” the former England captain said in his statement.
“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.”
Terry, if found guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand, could face a lengthy ban similar to the one served by Liverpool’s Luis Suarez last season.
“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,” Terry said.
East-London born Terry has spent his entire career with Chelsea since joining as a 14-year-old.
He made his first-team debut in 1998 and quickly established himself as one of the country’s best central defenders.
His first England cap came in 2003 and Terry’s leadership qualities meant former manager Steve McClaren to give him the captain’s armband in 2006.
It was a role he took on with pride, although his England captaincy was not without its problems.
The Chelsea stalwart had the armband taken away in 2010 after revelations about his private life.
After regaining the position he was again stripped of the captaincy in February over the Ferdinand allegations.
“I’d like to thank John Terry for his commitment to the England team since I became manager,” Hodgson said in an FA statement.
“I am of course disappointed to lose a player of John’s international experience and exceptional ability.
“I have enjoyed a good relationship with John during my time as England manager and I reluctantly accept his decision,” Hodgson said. (Reuters)