FA charge Terry despite former England captain being cleared of racial abuse

(CNN) -- Chelsea captain John Terry was charged by the English Football Association (FA) Friday over his verbal clash with Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match last year.

Terry was cleared by a London court last month of racially abusing Ferdinand in the incident, but the FA has decided to take its own action after seeking independent legal advice.

"It is alleged that Terry used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behavior towards Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand, contrary to FA rules," read an FA statement.

"It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or color and/or race of Anton Ferdinand.

"This charge is the result of The FA's long-standing enquiries into this matter, which were placed on hold pending the outcome of the criminal trial, and relates to rules governing football only. "

John Terry cleared of racial abuse

John Terry made his Chelsea debut as a substitute against Aston Villa in 1998. After a short loan spell with second-tier Nottingham Forest, Terry established himself in the Chelsea first team during the 2000-01 English Premier League season.

Terry's impressive form was recognized in 2003 when he was handed his England debut as a substitute in a 2-1 victory over Serbia and Montenegro.

In his first full season as captain, Terry led Chelsea to a first English top-flight title in 50 years.

Chelsea sealed back-to-back Premier League titles in 2006, and in 2010 Terry became the first captain to lead the club to a league and FA Cup double.

Terry's international profile continued to grow and he was named England captain by new manager Steve McClaren in 2006. He scored the opening goal in his first match as skipper, a 4-0 victory over Greece.

Chelsea faced Manchester United in the 2008 European Champions League final in Moscow. In the penalty shootout, Terry had the chance to give Chelsea the trophy for the first time but his spot-kick hit the post and United claimed glory.

Having initially been stripped of the role in 2010, Terry was reinstated as England captain by Italian manager Fabio Capello in March 2011 following an injury to Rio Ferdinand.

Terry pleaded not guilty to charges of racial abuse in a British court on February 1. The incident in question occurred during Chelsea's defeat to Queens Park Rangers in October. The hearing will be held from July 9.

Chelsea breakthrough

England debut

The wait is over

Back-to-back titles

Leading from the front

Miss in Moscow

Captain come back

Court case

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Career of John Terry

Terry said Friday that he denied the charges and would be requesting a personal hearing.

He was found not guilty after a five-day trial at Westminster Magistrates Court which went into precise detail about the circumstances of the disagreement between the two players during the televised match on October 23 last year.

Terry was stripped of the England captaincy in February over the allegations, leading to the subsequent resignation of national team manager Fabio Capello, just months before Euro 2012.

Terry played in the finals under new manager Roy Hodgson while awaiting his criminal trial.

Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri was given a three-match international ban by the French Football Federation over his behavior at Euro 2012.

Nasri mouthed an obscenity to a television camera after scoring France's equalizer in the 1-1 draw against England in the group stages.

He also insulted a journalist after France lost in the quarterfinals to Spain.

He will miss World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Belarus in September, but will be available for a rematch against Spain in October.

French teammate Jeremy Menez received a one-match ban for his clash with captain Hugo Lloris in the Spanish defeat.