John Terry quits England on eve of 'racism' hearing

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Former England captain John Terry dramatically quit international football on Sunday, fewer than 24 hours before a Football Association hearing into allegations he racially abused Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand.

Chelsea skipper Terry, 31, said the FA had made his position 'untenable' after he had already been cleared of criminal charges emanating from the controversy which rocked the game last October.

"I am today announcing my retirement from international football," Terry said in a statement.

"I would like to thank the England managers who have selected me for my 78 caps. 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.

"Representing and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been a truly great honour. I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision," added Terry who made his England debut in 2003.

"I want to wish Roy (Hodgson, the England manager) and the team every success for the future.

"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.

"I now look forward to playing for Chelsea FC, and challenging for domestic and European honours, and I want to thank the fans and the club for their continued support."

Central defender Terry has always denied using a racist slur against Ferdinand during a Premier League match last October and was cleared of criminal charges relating to the incident by a London court in July.

The criminal action had to prove Terry's guilt beyond reasonable doubt but the judge ruled the prosection had not proved their case to that standard.

An FA panel will consider the claims resulting from the match but has a lower burden of proof based on the balance of probabilities.

Terry was stripped of the England captaincy as a result of the allegations and there was further controversy when he was included in Hodgson's squad for this year's European Championships while long-term England central defensive colleague Rio Ferdinand, Anton's older brother, was left out.