Terry was found guilty by the FA of using racist language towards Anton Ferdinand in a league game, a charge the Chelsea man denies vehemently.

The decision to give Terry just a four match ban drew the ire of Joey Barton, banned for twelve games for violent conduct, who had a rare opportunity to sound like the voice of wisdom last night.

"What an absolute farce. Twelve games for violent conduct and only four for that. [The] FA should be embarrassed. #Shambles," Barton tweeted.

"By the FA's perverse reckoning, I'd [have] got less of a ban for racially abusing the Man City players than tickling them as I did.

"In what circumstances can that be right?"