Terry will not appeal against racist abuse ban

LONDON (REUTERS) - Chelsea's John Terry will not appeal against his four-match ban and £220,000 (S$440,000) fine for racially insulting Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, the player said in a statement on Thursday.

Terry, 31, was found guilty by an English Football Association (FA) tribunal of using a racial slur towards Ferdinand during a Premier League match at Loftus Road in October 2011.

The centre back was acquitted in a court of law for the same offence and always maintained his innocence but apologised on Thursday for the language he used in his altercation with Ferdinand.

"After careful consideration, I have decided not to appeal against the FA judgment," Terry said in a statement. "I want to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone for the language I used in the game against Queens Park Rangers last October.