• England Football

Lineker: Terry retirement 'sensible'

ESPN staff
September 24, 2012
John Terry quits international football

Former England captain Gary Lineker described John Terry's decision to retire from international football as "sensible".

Terry announced on Sunday evening that he would stand down from international duties, claiming the Football Association's disciplinary charge against him has made his position "untenable". The statement from Terry comes less than 24 hours before an FA hearing into his alleged racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand.

Lineker, who earned 80 England caps during his career, believes Terry's decision is understandable given the circumstances.

"He says FA have made his position untenable. [It was] probably a sensible decision," Lineker said via Twitter.

"Whatever you think about John Terry, he always gave his absolute all on the field for England. A strong leader and great defender."

Jimmy Armfield, another former England captain, insists Terry's absence will be a difficult challenge for manager Roy Hodgson to overcome, but says the announcement came as a shock.

"I was surprised to hear the news," Armfield told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He has had a pretty strong run of England matches and it has come at a pretty difficult time for Roy Hodgson.

"We are in the middle of the World Cup qualifiers and I think he needs all the good players he has got. It looks at this moment as though there is a question of loyalty here somewhere."

Terry endured a tumultuous career with the Three Lions in recent years, having twice been stripped of the captaincy by the FA.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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