By Mark Fordham

Former England captain John Terry has announced his immediate retirement from international football.

The Chelsea defender has won 78 caps and is set to face a Football Association (FA) disciplinary hearing over allegedly racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in a Premier Leaguematch last season.

He was cleared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in July, however, the FA's decision to pursue charges against Terry has hastened his retirement from the national team.

The court in July heard accusations that Terry had insulted QPR defender Ferdinand, describing him as "black" and using sexual swear words.

However, the prosecution was unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the words had been used in an insulting manner.

In a statement released last night (September 23rd) Terry said representing and captaining his country had been a dream of his since he was a child and said it had been a "great honour" pulling on the shirt.

"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," he continued.