Terry quits England! Read full story

John Terry quit England hours before the start of his hearing over the alleged racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand.

Terry made the decision after becoming convinced that the Football Association are determined to find him guilty of the offence.

The hearing starts at Wembley Stadium on Monday morning. Terry's QC George Carter-Stephenson arrived before 8am, with both his client and Anton Ferdinand also due to attend.

The last cap: John Terry lined up for England away in Moldova at the beginning of September where he won his 78th and final cap

The 31-year-old said in a statement: ‘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. 

‘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. I wish Roy and the team every success for the future.’

'Untenable': Terry criticised the FA in a statement

The Chelsea defender’s relationship with the governing body has deteriorated to such an extent he felt unable to continue as an England player. 

He has felt increasingly isolated by the FA’s stance in recent weeks and there have been several days of legal argument that have convinced him his position is untenable.

Flashpoint: The John Terry and Anton Ferdinand racism case is due to reach its conclusion this week

It is understood the FA’s failure to acknowledge their rule 6.8 — which says the outcome and  evidence of any civil or criminal court trial should be regarded as the correct version of events — was the final straw for Terry. 

He had hoped the hearing would be abandoned on these grounds but, on finding out that it would be proceeding, decided he could no longer play for England. 

Terry was found not guilty in back in July, which prompted the FA to open their own hearing. Their charge includes an alleged ‘reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Ferdinand’ and they only have to prove their case ‘on the balance of probabilities’ to find him guilty.

Busy summer: Terry attends his court case (above) a month on from playing for England at Euro 2012 (below)

His England career lasted nine years, and he won the first of his 78 caps in a friendly against  Hungary in June 2003.

Terry had two separate spells as captain of the national side. He was first appointed David  Beckham’s successor in 2006 but in 2010 was replaced following the storm around his alleged affair with team-mate Wayne Bridge’s then girlfriend. 

Former England manager Fabio Capello re-appointed him as skipper in March last year but the FA relieved him of the duty this February after the Ferdinand incident, a decision which led to the departure of Capello.

Snub: Ferdinand refuses to shake Terry's hand in the recent meeting between Chelsea and QPR

Terry’s last game was the 5-0 win against Moldova 17 days ago. In his statement he added: ‘I now look forward to playing for Chelsea, and I want to thank the fans and the club for their continued support. 

'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.’

JOHN TERRY FACTFILE

1980: December 7 - born in London.

1998: October 28 - Makes Chelsea debut against Aston Villa.

2001: September - One of four players fined two weeks' wages by Chelsea after their behaviour at a Heathrow hotel is criticised on the day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

2002: Terry and Chelsea team-mate Jody Morris are cleared after being charged with assault and affray in connection with a nightclub incident. Terry, uncapped at the time, is ruled out of the World Cup after the Football Association decide he should not be considered for international duty with England until the legal case is completed.

2003: June 3 - Makes England debut as substitute against Serbia and Montenegro.

2006: August 10 - Chosen to replace David Beckham as England captain by head coach Steve McClaren.

2008: August 19 - Named as permanent captain of England by Fabio Capello.

2009: December 20 - Chelsea defend Terry after allegations he took secret cash payments to lay on a behind-the-scenes tour of the club's training ground.

2010: January 29: Named as the sportsman behind a gagging injunction involving his private life. A court order had previously been in place, covering an alleged relationship between married Terry and French model Vanessa Perroncel - a former partner of team-mate Wayne Bridge.

February 5 - Axed as England captain following a meeting with Capello.

2011: March 19 - Restored to the role of permanent England captain by Capello.

October 23 - Releases a statement denying he made a racist slur against Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's defeat at QPR after videos had circulated on the internet.

December 21 - The Crown Prosecution Service announce Terry will be charged with racially abusing Ferdinand and is due to appear before West London Magistrates' Court on February 1, 2012.

2012: February 3 - Terry is stripped of the England captaincy for a second time. The decision was taken by members of the 14-strong FA board, without consulting Capello.

February 8 - Capello resigns as England manager two days after criticising the decision to strip Terry of the captaincy.

July 13 - Cleared at Westminster Magistrates' Court of making a racist insult to Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's match against QPR in October last year.

July 27 - Charged by the FA with using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards QPR defender Ferdinand. It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Ferdinand. Terry denies the charge and requests a personal hearing.

September 23 - Announces his retirement from international football, shortly before the start of his personal hearing to answer the FA charge.

Daily Mail