Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has accused the Football Association of taking too long to make a decision regarding John Terry's racism case.
The Chelsea captain was hit with a four-match ban and a £220,000 fine after being found guilty for using racist language in a confrontation with Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand almost a year ago.
The 31-year-old, who was acquitted of a racially-aggravated public order by a court of law in July, is considering whether to appeal the ruling.
"The fact is, the criminal justice system has had a look at it and decided and the football system, which is a different test and I respect the fact the FA has to look at it, has also decided," Scudamore told The Telegraph.
"It is very difficult, but my concern is the length of time that this takes because we have been sitting here, unable to move on and unable to get clarity. We have to work out a way of doing these things earlier."
Terry retired from international football last weekend.
