John Terry was banned for four games by the Football Association after an independent commission found the Chelsea captain guilty of misconduct.
Terry had denied the charges of using a racially motivated word against Anton Ferdinand in Chelsea's English Premier League against Queens Park Rangers last year, but the commission decided to ban him after a hearing that lasted four days as well as slap a fine of £220,000 ($357,600).
Terry will be given the opportunity to appeal the decision once a written statement on the decision is handed to his representatives. That means the 31-year-old defender will be available for Chelsea's game against Arsenal Saturday.
"An independent regulatory commission has today found a charge of misconduct against John Terry proven and has issued a suspension for a period of four matches and a fine of £220,000, pending appeal," an FA statement said.
"The Football Association charged Mr Terry on Friday 27 July 2012 with using abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand and which included a reference to colour and/or race contrary to FA Rule E3[2] in relation to the Queens Park Rangers FC versus Chelsea FC fixture at Loftus Road on 23 October 2011.
"The charge was the result of The FA's long-standing investigation into this matter, which was placed on hold at the request of the Crown Prosecution Service and Mr Terry's representatives pending the outcome of the criminal trial.
The decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission is as follows:
-- Mr Terry be suspended from all domestic club football until such time as Chelsea's First Team have completed four competitive matches
-- Fined the sum of £220,000."
"The independent regulatory commission will provide written reasons for its decision in due course. Mr Terry has the right to appeal the decision of the independent regulatory commission to an Appeal Board. An appeal must be lodged within 14 days from receipt of the written reasons for the decision.
"The penalty is suspended until after the outcome of any appeal, or the time for appealing expires, or should Mr Terry decide not to appeal. The reason for this is to ensure that the penalty does not take effect before any appeal so that Mr Terry has an effective right of appeal."
A Chelsea statement said: "Chelsea Football Club notes and respects today's decision by the Football Association regarding John Terry.
"We also recognise that John has the right to appeal that decision. It is therefore inappropriate for us to comment further on the matter at this time."
Terry's representatives added the decision to appeal would be made after receiving the written document and carefully assessing it. "He has asked for the detailed written reasons of the decision and will consider them carefully before deciding whether to lodge an appeal," the former England international's representatives Elite Management said.
