The Sports Matrix: Tuesday 25 September 2012

The FA denies forcing Terry out

The Football Association yesterday rejected John Terry's assertion that the governing body had made his position with the national team "untenable" as the former England captain faced the first day of his hearing on charges of allegedly racially abusing the Queen's Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

Terry, who denies the charges, followed his sudden retirement from international football on Sunday by spending five hours at Wembley yesterday for the opening stages of a hearing in front of an independent panel. The proceedings are expected to last up to four days.

While the FA issued a statement thanking him for his contribution to the national team and the England manager, Roy Hodgson, above, expressed his disappointment and "reluctant acceptance" of Terry's decision, Alex Horne, the FA's general secretary, was more forthcoming in responding to the defender's dramatic decision on the eve of the hearing, saying: "It's a personal decision. I don't see how we have made it untenable, they are two very separate processes." MORE

Donald: Ryder Cup will be 'special'

Luke Donald will be seeking some home comforts when the Ryder Cup starts in Medinah on Friday. "Some of my best moments in golf have been in the Ryder Cup," he said. "With it being in Chicago, the place I have lived for the last 15 years, it will be pretty special." MORE

Terriers climb up to second place

Huddersfield Town ran out 3-1 victors at Blackpool in the Championship last night to move up to second in the table. Lee Novak put the visitors ahead before Gary Taylor-Fletcher equalised. James Vaughan and Oliver Norwood then put the game out of Blackpool's reach. MORE

Walcott wants to stay – as a striker

Theo Walcott, in the final year of his Arsenal contract, said yesterday he wants to stay at the club but he wants to play as a central striker. "I want to play up front. I have learnt my game on the wing," he said. "Hopefully I will be given the opportunity. I am desperate for it." MORE

Kelly ruled out for at least six months

The Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has been ruled out for "a significant period of time" after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday.

The 22-year-old right-back is likely to be sidelined for at least six months. MORE

Dyer ready to go the distance

After playing the longest he has played in a top-flight league match in nearly two years, 88 minutes on Sunday, Kieron Dyer says he feels ready to play more for Queen's Park Rangers. "Things are going great for me," he said. MORE

Wembley could host 2020 final

The Football Association is looking to bring the final of the 2020 European Championship to Wembley should Michel Platini persist with his plan to have no fixed host for the tournament. It also hosts this season's Champions League final. MORE

Watson win sets up Sharapova clash

Great Britain's Heather Watson beat Germany's Sabine Lisicki, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, 6-4, 7-6 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo yesterday to earn a second-round meeting today with Russia's Maria Sharapova, the world No 2. MORE

Ireland washed out by the weather

West Indies will be England's first Super Eight opponents, after rain prevented a result in last night's final ICC World Twenty20 Group B match against Ireland at the Premadasa Stadium. MORE

James Lawton

Many epitaphs have already been written for the end of John Terry's England career, and no one can say that this flawed Caesar has not been given his due. MORE