Terry quits England team ahead of racism hearing

Former England captain John Terry unexpectedly ended his nine-year international career on Sunday, quitting before he was due to face a racism hearing because his place in the team had become "untenable."

Former England captain John Terry unexpectedly ended his nine-year international career on Sunday, quitting before he was due to face a racism hearing because his place in the team had become "untenable."

Despite being cleared in court of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match last year, the Chelsea defender was facing a lengthy ban if found guilty by a Football Association panel.

During four days of evidence, prosecutors claimed Terry snapped in response to insults about an alleged extramarital affair and racially abused Ferdinand.

But Terry said all he did was sarcastically repeat the offensive term that he was accused of using.