FA says Terry's defence 'contrived' in racism case
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An Oct 23, 2011 file photo of Chelsea captain John Terry, right, speaking with Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand during a English Premier League match at QPR's Loftus Road ground in London. The English Football Association (FA) disciplinary panel that banned Chelsea captain John Terry for racially abusing an opponent found his defence "implausible and contrived." -- PHOTO: AP
LONDON (AP) - The English Football Association (FA) disciplinary panel that banned Chelsea captain John Terry for racially abusing an opponent found his defence "implausible and contrived."
The panel's findings were published on Friday after being sent to Terry, who has 14 days to decide whether to appeal against his four-match ban and £220,000 (S$440,000) fine.
Terry was cleared in a criminal court in July, but the FA found the former England captain guilty of directing abuse at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match last October.
Terry claimed he only used the racial slur to counter an accusation of racism he claimed Ferdinand was leveling at him.
