John Terry: 'I've had global support'

Chelsea captain John Terry has revealed that he has received support from "across the world" following allegations of racial abuse towards Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

While the 30-year-old was banned by the Football Association from speaking about the incident during a press conference yesterday, the England skipper has since spoken out.

"From across the world, people and players and managers have been on the phone and been very supportive of me," the Daily Star quotes Terry as saying.

"The England players have been very supportive, publicly and personally. I'm delighted with that. The players showed against Spain that we are united together, no matter what. Unfortunately, I can't speak.

"We all understand that, with the police and the FA. I can't speak about that. I was going to come out with tape over my mouth!"

The defender, who strenuously denies the racism allegations, has admitted that he is not hiding away from his responsibilities.

"I am fronting it up and dealing with it. It is about being captain and coming out and facing up to it. It is a very proud thing for me to be England captain.

"It would have been the easy thing to do, to step away from it. But I am dealing with it.

"I've never done things any differently, and I won't do things differently in the future. I'm not someone to hide away."

Terry will skipper the England side in their friendly against Sweden at Wembley this evening.