Ferdinand speaks out after Terry ban

Ferdinand took to Twitter to respond to abuse he claimed to have received on the social media site since Terry was handed a four-match ban for using racial language.

The Queens Park Rangers defender tweeted: "On a serious note people need 2 read the facts before they send stupid tweets 2 me with liar and grass in it footage don't lie."

The Chelsea skipper had denied the charge but an FA independent regulatory commission ruled he was guilty of misconduct during the side's English Premier League defeat at QPR on 23 October last year. He was also fined £220,000 ($341,962), thought to be just over a week's wages.

Terry, 31, is considering an appeal but will decide his next move once he receives the written findings from the commission hearing.

Questions have been asked why the ban imposed was only half the length of Liverpool's Luis Suarez, who served an eight-match suspension for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

Joey Barton has also criticised the decision as 'a shambles' compared to his own 12-game ban for violent conduct. He wrote on Twitter: "What an absolute farce. 12 games for violent conduct and only 4 for that. FA should be embarrassed £shambles."

Terry expressed disappointment after the outcome, pointing out he was found not guilty in magistrates court in July of a racially-motivated public order offence in connection with the same incident.

A statement released on his behalf by Terry's representatives, Elite Management, read: "Mr Terry is disappointed that the FA Regulatory Commission has reached different conclusion to the clear not guilty verdict of a court of law.

"He has asked for the detailed written reasons of the decision and will consider them carefully before deciding whether to lodge an appeal."

Terry is likely to still be available to play for Chelsea against Arsenal this weekend as the ban does not start until after the appeals process has been concluded.

The defender has 14 days from the receipt of the written reasons for the decision, and if he does appeal then that hearing may not take place until the end of next month.

That could see the Chelsea captain still being available for the club's other English Premier League matches in October against Norwich City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.