Mid-Day

The independent Football Association regulatory commission said there was “no credible basis” for Terry’s claim he had only been repeating words he thought Ferdinand had accused him of saying.

In their full written reasons for the four-match ban, the commission said they were satisfied the words “f***ing black c***” were intended as an insult by Terry.

He now has two weeks in which to appeal. The commission also stated: “There are further aspects of Mr Terry’s defence that the commission finds improbable, implausible and contrived, and which serve to underline and reinforce our decision.

“The commission is quite satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that there is no credible basis for Mr Terry’s defence that his use of the words ‘f****** black c***’ were directed at Mr Ferdinand by way of forceful rejection and/or inquiry.

“Instead, we are quite satisfied, and find on the balance of probabilities, that the offending words were said by way of insult.” — PA Sport