“I am today announcing my retirement from international football.

I would like to thank the England managers who have selected me for my 78 caps.

I have had great pleasure in sharing that honour with all the players that I’ve played with.

I would like to thank them, the fans and my family for their support and encouragement during my international career.

Representing and captaining my country is what I dreamed of as a boy and it has been a truly great honour.

I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision.

I want to wish Roy [Hodgson] and the team every success for the future.

I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the FA disciplinary charge because I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable.

I now look forward to playing for Chelsea FC, and challenging for domestic and European honours, and I want to thank the fans and the club for their continued support.”