Terry suspended four matches for racial abuse

Chelsea captain John Terry was suspended four matches Thursday for racially abusing an opponent.

Despite being cleared by a criminal court in July, the English FA punished the former England captain for an incident that occurred in October 2011 during a Premier League match. Terry was also fined $355,000.

Terry was charged for "using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behavior," that "included a reference to color and/or race" toward QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, according to a statement by the FA.

Terry, who announced his retirement from international play Monday, can appeal the ruling and the FA stated "the penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal."