John Terry has retired from international football with immediate effect.
The Chelsea defender’s FA hearing for allegedly racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand takes place on Monday, but Terry has pre-empted the verdict by calling time on his 78-cap England career.
Terry made his England debut back in 2003 and was twice stripped of the captaincy for off-field reasons.
The 31-year-old’s decision leaves England manager Roy Hodgson with a selection headache heading into next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
In a statement released on Sunday night Terry accused the FA of making his position ‘untenable’.
He said: “I am today announcing my retirement from international football,’ the statement read.
“I would like to thank the England managers who have selected me for my 78 caps.
“I have had great pleasure in sharing that honour with all the players that I’ve played with.
“I would like to thank them, the fans and my family for their support and encouragement during my international career.
“Representing and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been a truly great honour.
“I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision.
“I want to wish Roy [Hodgson] and the team every success for the future.
“I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the FA disciplinary charge because I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable.
“I now look forward to playing for Chelsea FC, and challenging for domestic and European honours, and I want to thank the fans and the club for their continued support.”