Terry apologises and accepts ban

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18 October 2012-PA Sport

Not appealing ... Chelsea's John Terry (Getty Images)

John Terry has apologised for the language he used towards Anton Ferdinand after announcing he will not appeal against a four-match ban and fine of £220,000 ($341,600) for racially abusing the Queens Park Rangers defender.

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The Chelsea captain has accepted the sanction issued by an independent Football Association regulatory commission two weeks ago, however he has not apologised directly to Ferdinand.

In a statement released via his representatives Elite Management, Terry said: "After careful consideration, I have decided not to appeal against the FA judgment.

"I want to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone for the language I used in the game against Queens Park Rangers last October.

"Although I'm disappointed with the FA judgment, I accept that the language I used, regardless of the context, is not acceptable on the football field or indeed in any walk of life."

Terry was found guilty by the FA commission of calling Ferdinand a "f****** black c***" during a Premier League match between Chelsea and QPR on October 23 last year.

He had earlier been cleared in Westminster Magistrates Court of a racially aggravated public-order offence.

Terry's statement continued: "As I stated in the criminal case, with the benefit of hindsight my language was clearly not an appropriate reaction to the situation for someone in my position.

"My response was below the level expected by Chelsea Football Club, and by me, and it will not happen again.

"Looking forward, I will continue to do my part in assisting the club to remove all types of discriminatory behaviour from football.

"I am extremely grateful for the consistent support of Chelsea FC, the fans and my family."

The three-man panel had ruled there was "no credible basis" for Terry's claim he had only been repeating words he thought QPR defender Ferdinand had accused him of saying, and labelled his defence "improbable, implausible and contrived".

The commission also questioned why Terry's team-mate Ashley Cole had changed his statement to give more support to Terry's story, sparking a furious response from the Chelsea and England defender who described the FA as a "bunch of t***s" in a tweet sent on October 5.

Cole issued a full apology later that day and has since admitted a misconduct charge.