• Premier League

RDM: Terry remains Chelsea captain

ESPN staff
September 28, 2012
John Terry has been handed a four-match ban and £220,000 fine after his altercation with Anton Ferdinand © Getty Images
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Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed that John Terry will remain Chelsea captain after the FA found him guilty of 'using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour' during an altercation with QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

Terry has 14 days to appeal Thursday's verdict, which saw the defender hit with a four-match ban and a fine of £220,000.

Until the appeal process has taken place, Terry remains available for Chelsea and is expected to face Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Di Matteo, who fielded Terry in the Chelsea's Capital One Cup demolition of Wolves during the four-day hearing, refused to discuss whether or not the club will sanction the player themselves until after any appeal is made.

"He's going to be available and from our point of view there is no change [in his status as captain]," Di Matteo said, adding that the club was disappointed at the length of time the process had taken.

Terry and Ferdinand clashed 11 months ago, with the FA delaying its hearing to accommodate the criminal trial which acquitted the Chelsea captain, which itself was delayed to allow Terry to play at the European Championships.

"It's taken a long time and the only thing we can do is wait and see what happens," Di Matteo added. "Everybody would have liked it to be quicker."

And the Italian harbours no fears about Terry being provoked at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. "He's a professional player, and a senior player as well. He's played many games, got all the experience in the world."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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