Sven-Goran Eriksson: 'John Terry is not racist'

Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has insisted that Chelsea defender John Terry is not racist.

The 31-year-old has been handed a four-game ban and fined £220,000 by the FA for using racist language against Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand last season.

The FA's decision came despite the Westminster Magistrates' Court clearing Terry of all charges in July, and Eriksson is "upset" at how the whole issue has been handled.

"It is obvious John should be punished if he's expressed himself so inappropriately," said the Swede. "I refuse to believe [Terry] is a racist. What makes me upset is the FA punishment has come after a year.

"I honestly think the FA – and civil courts – have handled it in a miserable way.

"It has obviously had a major impact and he has quit England. I suppose it was a kind of protest against the FA."

Eriksson coached England from 2001 until 2006.