FA take Terry to task over England excuse

John Terry came face to face with Anton Ferdinand yesterday at the start of the Chelsea captain’s disciplinary hearing over allegations he racially abused the QPR defender.

Ferdinand gave his testimony to the independent panel at the hearing at Wembley Stadium, with Terry in attendance to hear the evidence against him.

After the hearing was under way, England manager Roy Hodgson released a statement expressing dismay at Terry’s decision to quit international football, while the FA denied the 31-year-old’s claim that it was “untenable” for him to play for England any more when the association were pursuing charges against him. Ferdinand was at Wembley all morning, leaving just before midday, while Terry remained at the hearing until mid-afternoon. Terry is expected back today and the case could last most of the week.