Ferdinand hits out over hate messages

Anton Ferdinand has given his first response to John Terry's four-match ban, claiming that he has received abusive Tweets and appearing to re-state his belief that the Chelsea captain is guilty of using racially abusive language.

Terry was banned for four matches and fined pounds 220,000 on Thursday after being found guilty of misconduct for using the phrase "f------ black c---" in an exchange with Ferdinand at Loftus Road last year.

On Friday Ferdinand made his first comment since the verdict on the micro-blogging site, apparently in response to offensive comments he has received since the verdict.

Ferdinand said: "On a serious note people need 2 read the facts before they send stupid tweets 2 me with liar and grass in it. Footage don't lie!"

The last comment is a reference to the television pictures of Terry shouting towards Ferdinand that prompted a criminal prosecution and the Football Association disciplinary process.

Ferdinand's response came as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former Arsenal winger Paul Davis were among those suggesting Terry may have been fortunate to receive a four-match ban.

In July, Terry was cleared of racially aggravated public order offence arising from the incidents but, despite objections from his legal team, the FA pursued its own misconduct case.

Terry will wait for the full written judgment before deciding whether to appeal based on legal advice. He has 14 days from receipt of the judgment to decide, but it is uncertain when it will be delivered. The FA is keen to make the process quicker than the Luis Suarez case, when the judgment was not delivered for 11 days. The judgment will be prepared by disciplinary panel chairman Craig Moore, a barrister, who sat in judgment with FA councillor Maurice Armstrong and Stuart Ripley, the former Blackburn winger who now works as lawyer.

Ferguson was among those cautioning Terry against an appeal, suggesting that the defender had been "fortunate" to receive just a four-game ban and should move on.

"There is a danger of it resurrecting itself because it has been going on so long," said Ferguson. "But the fact he got a four-game ban, he may consider that is quite lenient considering Suarez got eight. It is time to move on and so should the game."

Ferguson also cast doubt on whether England manager Roy Hodgson would recall Rio Ferdinand now that Terry has retired from international football. "If it happens then it is entirely up to Rio. I would not think he would get called up," Ferguson said. "I think Roy made his decision in the European Championships and I can't see him changing that."

Davis said some players may consider the sanction "lenient" given the severity of the language Terry used.

"I've spoken to a few black players who are understandably disappointed that the punishment has been lenient when you compare it to a similar offence like Suarez's," Davis said.

"I felt the Suarez ban and fine was about right, and I would have felt that Terry's situation would have merited a similar sort of fine and ban because racial abuse is racial abuse whether you say it to me once or 300 times. I feel that Terry has been fortunate."

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke offered view. "Has he been a plonker?" Clarke asked himself. "I wouldn't like to say that because you're putting words in my mouth. Terry is not a plonker."