Sam Allardyce charged by FA after comments about referee Phil Dowd

Posted on January 18, 2013 by adminsports

West Ham boss Allardyce CHARGED by the FA after 'homer ref' comments

By
Tom Sheen and Laura Williamson

PUBLISHED:

16:16 GMT, 18 January 2013

UPDATED:

18:02 GMT, 18 January 2013

Sam Allardyce has been charged by the Football Association for the remarks he made in the wake of West Ham's defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Allardyce alleged that referee Phil Dowd favoured the hosts as he failed to award West Ham a penalty but then awarded one at the other end moments later for a similar incident in the FA Cup third-round replay.

A statement from the FA read: 'West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has been charged with misconduct in relation to media comments following this week’s FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Charged: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is expected to face charges after accusing Phil Dowd of bias during Wednesday night's loss to Manchester United

'The charge is in relation to an
alleged breach of FA Rule E3 concerning media comments which questioned
the integrity of the match referee and/or match officials in general
and/or implied that the match referee and/or match officials in general
are motivated by bias and/or brought the game into disrepute.

'Allardyce has until Wednesday 23 January to respond to the charge.'

Speaking on Wednesday, Allardyce said: 'The one difference between Rafael’s handball and Spence’s was that Jordan plays for West Ham away against Manchester United and Rafael plays at home at Old Trafford.

'It's got to be that simple. Phil Dowd was in the perfect position. Rafael pushes the ball away with his left arm. No penalty. Go to the other end and the ball hits Jordan’s hand. If you give one you have to give both, simple as that.'

West Ham have a London derby on
Saturday against strugglers QPR. But under new manager Harry Redknapp, Rangers have found some improved results.

Accusation: Allardyce (pictured) blasted Dowd after the referee failed to award West Ham a penalty but gave one to United for a similar incident

'Harry knows full well that, should QPR survive, it will be one of the biggest achievements of his managerial career,' said Allardyce.

'In fact he will be only be only the second manager in the history of the Premier League to have guided his team to safety after being bottom of the table at Christmas.

'Bryan Robson was the only man to have accomplished that, when at West Brom.

Disruption: QPR manager Harry Redknapp (pictured) prepares his side to face West Ham in deep snow

'As an achievement, it would not be something that will be lauded in quite the way as when Spurs qualified for the Champions League under Harry but, believe me, if it happens, it will be right up there and proof he can handle things at either end of the spectrum.'

Allardyce, who has signed Marouane Chamakh, Joe Cole, Sean Maguire and Wellington Paulista so far in the transfer window also expects new signing Loic Remy to be a hit at Loftus Road.

'I expect new signing Loic Remy to be in their squad,' Allardyce added in his column with the Evening Standard.

Welcome to London: Allardyce expects new QPR new boy Loic Remy (centre) to be a hit

'From what I've seen of him, he's quick and can play anywhere across the front three.

'He was linked with us at one stage but he was too expensive – we don't have that kind of money.

'It remains a massive task for QPR and Harry – but it can be done.'

Liverpool youngster Suso fined 10,000 by FA for homophobic Twitter outburst

Posted on December 19, 2012 by adminsports

It was just banter! Enrique unhappy with FA after they fined Liverpool teammate Suso 10,000 for a homophobic Tweet

UPDATED:

19:49 GMT, 18 December 2012

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique jumped to the defence of teammate Suso after the FA fined the youngster 10,000 for a homophobic Tweet.

The 19-year-old Spaniard sparked
controversy with his reply to team-mate Jose Enrique, who had posted a
bizarre picture of himself getting his teeth whitened.

Suso tweeted: ‘What f*** is he doing This guy is gay… he does everything except play football.’

The Reds midfielder quickly realised he had made a poor error of judgement, deleted the tweet and made an apology.

But, after hearing of Suso's punishment, Enrique tweeted: 'Is amazing how fa can fine my friend @suso30fernandez for a banter thing. Was just a joke!!!'

jose enrique tweet

An FA statement read: ‘Following an
Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Monday, Liverpool’s Jesus
Fernandez Saez (Suso) has been fined 10,000 and warned as to his future
conduct for a comment posted on Twitter.

‘The charge, which the player admitted
and requested a paper hearing, was that he acted in a way which was
improper and/or brought the game into disrepute in that the comment was
posted on his Twitter account and included a reference to a person/s
sexual orientation and/or disability.’

The teenager apologised on his Twitter page tonight, saying the 'unfortunate' comments were intended as a joke.

Liverpool's Suso tweet

Gaffe: Liverpool's Suso reply to Jose Enrique

'I'm very sorry if anyone has been offended by my comments about the photo of my team-mate Jose Enrique,' he wrote.

'It was only a joke between the two of us. I realise that my words were unfortunate and it was not my intention to offend anyone.

'I apologise again if anyone was offended.'

Suso’s gaffe follows Jen Chang leaving his post as media chief following the Twitter storm with spoof blogger ‘Duncan Jenkins’.

Liverpool were forced to apologise to
Jenkins, real name Sean Cummins, for the ‘inappropriate actions’ of
Chang, after they met in a Manchester restaurant.

Chang wrongly believed inside information used by Cummins on Twitter had been fed to him by an Anfield mole.

The fan then alleged in a blog that Chang made a series of threats to him, which included revoking his shared season ticket.

Team mates: Suso (left) and Jose Enrique (right)

Suso has become an increasingly important member of the Reds' first-team and has made 13 appearances so far this season.

The attacking midfielder moved to Anfield from hometown club Cadiz in 2010 and signed a new long-term contract in October.

Twitter storm with spoof blogger 'Duncan Jenkins'.

The
club were forced to apologise to Jenkins, real name Sean Cummins, for
the 'inappropriate actions' of Chang, after they met in a Manchester
restaurant.

Chang wrongly believed inside information used by Cummins on Twitter had been fed to him by an Anfield mole.

The fan then alleged in a blog that Chang made a series of threats to him, which included revoking his shared season ticket

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2239649/Jen-Chang-wants-director-football-Monaco.html#ixzz2DfFJKJLb
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Luis Suarez storm: Ashley Williams plays down row ahead of Swansea v Liverpool

Posted on November 23, 2012 by adminsports

Williams says sorry to Suarez for revealing he'd like to 'knock out' striker ahead of Liverpool showdown at Swansea

UPDATED:

17:55 GMT, 23 November 2012

Brendan Rodgers has revealed Ashley Williams has apologised to Luis Suarez for referring to the Liverpool forward as 'a serial diver' and wanting 'to knock him out'.

The Swansea captain caused a stir in midweek when an extract from his book, My Premier League Diary, was published and it contained a less than glowing testimony of Suarez following a 0-0 draw at Anfield last November.

Williams went as far as saying that Suarez was 'streets ahead' of anyone who he had disliked in the top flight and the nature of his comments were looked at by the Football Association, as they could have been construed as bringing the game into disrepute.

Grudge match: Luis Suarez and Ashley Williams will resume hostilities on Sunday

However, ahead of Liverpool’s trip to the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, Rodgers confirmed that that Wales international had contacted both him and Suarez to clear the air and, as far as Liverpool’s manager is concerned, that is the end of the matter.

‘I’ve spoken to Ash and Ash has spoken with Luis so there’s no issue there,’ said Rodgers. ‘When I saw it I was surprised because in my time there, knowing his character, he’s a good man with good intelligence and maturity.

‘Ashley is a terrific football player and when I saw those comments I found it hard to believe. I got the full explanation about how it seemingly got out there and he was very quick to apologise for that. That’s gone now and there is no problem there.

On the comeback trail: Lucas Leiva played for Liverpool U21s on Friday

‘I’m sure they will shake hands on Sunday and get on with it.’

Rodgers returns to Wales for the first time since he quit the Liberty Stadium to succeed Kenny Dalglish with Liverpool defending a seven-match unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League that stretches back to September.

The irony of the situation, though, is that Swansea are actually better placed going into the game but Rodgers, who will make several changes to the side that drew 2-2 with BSC Young Boys in the Europa League, feels Liverpool are starting to make significant progress.

What’s more, Rodgers is soon set to welcome back key midfielder Lucas Leiva. The Brazilian played for 62 minutes of the Under 21s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough this afternoon and showed his fitness was good. The original plan had been for him to play just 45 minutes.

‘We are chipping away that was the idea this season,’ said Rodgers. ‘We had to manage and navigate through a lot of games. Where we finish at the end of the season is the most important thing. For us it’s just about continuing our improvement.

‘I think in the second half of the season we will get even stronger. We will get better in our ways of working and better in our understanding in terms of what we’re trying to achieve. We have a strong mentality in the league at the moment – that momentum is coming together.’

Mark Clattenburg cleared: Charge Chelsea, says Graham Poll

Posted on November 22, 2012 by adminsports

Now charge Chelsea! Throw the book at Blues after false Clattenburg claim

UPDATED:

17:16 GMT, 22 November 2012

Chelsea should be charged with bringing the game into disrepute, wasting FA time and potentially face a private prosecution from Mark Clattenburg for defamation of character.

There has been little or no thought as to the damage this has done to the referee and his reputation – as Sir Alex Ferguson asserted: 'It’s a problem for Mark and it is unfortunate. ‘Stigma does tend to stick and that is the real unfortunate part.'

Claim: Chelsea accused Clattenburg of racism towards their players

Outside of football people are charged with wasting police time and if making a serious but unfounded allegation a jail sentence can follow.

And yet Chelsea appear to have emerged with nothing worse than a few more dents to an already tarnished reputation.

In this case it is hard to blame the players for they seemed convinced that they heard an inappropriate comment by a referee (how fortunate that referees don't react in a similar way).

Row: Chelsea midfielder Mikel has been charged with misconduct

However it seems unbelievable that the club were prepared to accuse a well-respected, senior International referee without first of all checking to see if there was sufficient evidence to back up such damaging claims.

One has to ask if that is because, other than damaging their reputation, there is no other cost involved.

There seems to be little or no point in financial penalties when the owner has almost limitless wealth and whilst a deduction of points would ensure that clubs checked their facts before such allegations are made, their legal teams would challenge any such penalty.

Claim: Chelsea players alleged that I had threatened them back in 2006

So, we appear left with the same situation as I found myself in six years ago after Chelsea players alleged that I had threatened them in a match against Tottenham.

A referee unfairly accused and left feeling a little more disillusioned with a game he once loved probably unable to referee a top four team again this season. Then again, why would he want to

Chelsea fan accused of monkey taunt says: I"m no racist

Posted on November 3, 2012 by adminsports

I'm no racist! Chelsea fan accused of 'monkey' taunt at Welbeck breaks silenceClub and Police investigating fan's behaviourChelsea appeal for information led to fan being identified on internet
Comes after referee Mark Clattenburg stands accused by Chelsea of telling John Mikel Obi to 'shut it, monkey' during last Sunday's game against United

UPDATED:

11:36 GMT, 3 November 2012

The Chelsea fan caught making an apparent monkey gesture at Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has claimed he is not a racist.

Gavin Kirkham was in the front row of the Matthew Harding Stand at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night when he was caught on camera appearing to taunt Welbeck.

Kirkham, 28, from Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire, was named on social networking sites after Chelsea appealed for help in identifying him. The club and the police both launched investigations.

Taunt: Chelsea fan Gavin Kirkham appears to make a monkey gesture at Stamford Bridge

According to the Daily Mirror, Kirkham texted his flatmate Kevin Cleverly – who is also his landlord – and said: 'I’m ashamed of what I did. I’m totally ashamed of myself and I wish it hadn’t happened.

'I know what I did was wrong. I know how it looks and what’s been said.

'I’ve just made a mistake. A huge mistake. I’m not a racist. I’m just one of the boys.

'I had a couple of pints and got a bit lairy but I’m not a bad lad. I just got wrapped up in the match.

'I’m sorry I brought the game into disrepute.'

Kirkham is expected to be questioned in the next few days as Scotland Yard are reported to be speaking to Hertfordshire Police about what steps to take next.

Unacceptable: The Chelsea fan (circled) appears to to make a monkey gesture towards Welbeck after the striker mis-controls the ball

Police have the CCTV footage from Wednesday's match and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reported to have said he does not want the man back in the stadium.

An aide to the Russian told the Mirror; 'Roman is not happy. He has spoken to officials and told them the man should never be allowed inside the ground again.'

The incident is the latest storm to rock Stamford Bridge after referee Mark Clattenburg was accused of using racist language towards John Mikel Obi and Juan Mata in last weekend's Premier League match between Chelsea and United.

Mikel is pursuing the case against Clattenburg after the official allegedly told
him to ‘shut it, monkey’.

Stirring the pot: Manchester United fans display a banner about Clattenburg, mocking the well-known slogan Chelsea fans attach to captain John Terry, who racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand

Stirring the pot: Manchester United fans display a banner about Clattenburg, mocking the well-known slogan Chelsea fans attach to captain John Terry, who allegedly racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand

Message: Manchester United fans take aim at Chelsea over the race rows that have engulfed the club

The second element of the London club’s initial complaint
alleging the referee called Mata ‘a Spanish t***’ was dropped on
the advice of the club’s external legal team.

Chelsea believe they have enough
evidence to convince an FA independent regulatory commission that they
can meet the civil standard of proof, which is the balance of
probabilities.

Clattenburg
has denied using racist or inappropriate language in a submission to the
FA and is backed by his two assistants and the fourth official.

Chelsea captain John Terry is serving a four-match ban after being found guilty by a Football Association independent regulatory commission of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand during a match last season.

Ashley Cole to be charged by FA over Twitter rant

Posted on October 8, 2012 by adminsports

Cole to be charged by FA over tweet as Hodgson prepares to drop defender

UPDATED:

07:29 GMT, 8 October 2012

Ashley Cole will be charged by the FA for his offensive ‘bunch of t***s’ tweet and is set to be dropped for Friday's World Cup qualifier against San Marino.

FA officials discussed on
Sunday night how to respond to Cole’s Twitter reaction to the
independent commission’s report into the John Terry affair.

They have decided to slap him with a disrepute charge and a heavy fine is sure to follow. Manager Roy Hodgson is also likely to rest Cole for 'footballing reasons'.

In hot water: Ashley Cole is set to be charged by the FA and left out of the England side to face San Marino

In hot water: Ashley Cole is in yet more trouble for his use of Twitter with the dust not even settled on the judgement from the FA over his actions during the defence of John Terry against racism claims

He
was already considering it because of Cole’s recent ankle problems and
the fact that he probably can afford to rest certain players in
preparation for Poland when San Marino should not present England with a
problem. Hodgson can also call on Everton’s Leighton Baines, who is
having a superb season.

But it would leave the FA looking weak if they fail to clarify whether Cole is available for selection.

It
is a difficult one for the FA when only last month general secretary
Alex Horne was insisting Terry should have made a distinction between
disciplinary matters and the England team before retiring from
international football.

Should Cole be allowed to play on Friday, it
will be his 99th cap but privately on Sunday the FA dismissed talk that a
decision to mark Cole’s 100th cap by awarding him the captain’s armband
against Poland next week had been reversed in the wake of the
controversy. Steven Gerrard will remain captain for what promises to be a
hugely important game in Warsaw.

It is also complicated by the fact
that Hodgson contacted Cole after his outburst on Friday to check he was
not about to follow Terry in quitting international football.

Enlarge

Hitting out: Cole initially got in trouble after hitting out at the FA over the social network site

But
the FA may not want a situation in which Cole is shaking the hand of FA
chairman David Bernstein and other dignitaries before the match at
Wembley against a backdrop of boos and jeers for the controversial
Chelsea full back.

It is also complicated by the fact
that Hodgson contacted Cole after his outburst on Friday to check he was
not about to follow Terry in quitting international football.

It could be just as uncomfortable for
the FA on Tuesday with the squad due to meet the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge at St George’s Park, even though Cole is still expected to
meet up with his England colleagues on Monday, having told Hodgson on
Friday he planned to report for duty.

At
the same time, banning Cole might be something Hodgson is less prepared
to do now there is a doubt over the fitness of Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs,
who was selected by Hodgson as a third left back last Thursday but
appears to have picked up an injury over the weekend.

Ban him: Shearer, seen here with Cole, called for the defender to be left out the England squad

The FA's decision comes after Cole was embroiled in further controversy when retweeting a message posted by a member of the public
that essentially accused Alan Shearer of hypocrisy.

Talking on Match of the Day, Shearer called for Cole to be suspended for the San Marino game for his attack on the FA.

'I think the FA can put a big
statement out here by actually not fining him but actually banning him
on Friday,' said Shearer. 'Because we've seen players fined 50,000,
60,000, 70,000. That’s not a deterrent to them.

'Stopping
them from playing football will be a deterrent. If they do it quickly,
if they do it in four to five days, I think it puts a big statement out
to the rest of the players.'

Cole
hit back by retweeting a message which said: 'Alan Shearer says
@TheRealAC3 needs to be banned for comments. I want his opinion on bans
for kicking Neil Lennon in the head. #GlassHouses.'

That
was a reference to Shearer, England captain at the time, tangling with
Lennon in a Leicester versus Newcastle match in 1998.

Charles Green defiant after winning disrepute case against SPL

Posted on October 5, 2012 by adminsports

Green defiant: Rangers chief hits out at SPL after beating disrepute rap

UPDATED:

22:14 GMT, 4 October 2012

Charles Green won his latest battle with the football authorities on Thursday night before insisting it was time for the SPL to think again about their treatment of Rangers.

The Ibrox chief executive made a personal appearance at Hampden and was cleared of disrepute charges when an SFA Judicial Panel delivered a not-proven verdict.

Green had been accused of questioning the integrity of the SPL Commission — headed by Lord Nimmo Smith — set up to decide whether Rangers were guilty of improper payments to players when operating an Employee Benefit Trust scheme.

Winning: Charles Green emerged victorious

The Yorkshireman is now ready to meet with SFA president Campbell Ogilvie to try to build a constructive new relationship with the association.

Yet he remains deeply unhappy with the SPL over their EBT investigation, which could potentially lead to Rangers being stripped of titles.

Green has refused to co-operate with the Commission, due to convene again next month, and claims the lingering issue has damaged attempts to rebuild the club following its financial meltdown and plunge into the Third Division.

‘Perhaps it is now time that those people within the SPL who have been pursuing Rangers at every turn take stock,’ said Green.

‘As a member of the SFA, we want to work constructively within its structure and hope that all parties and organisations can take a view that what is of paramount importance is the good of the game.

‘To that end, we will be meeting with SFA President Campbell Ogilvie in the near future.

‘We want to be a force for good in football and it is surely to the benefit of all that the way forward is not frustrated by continually trying to look back.’

In a statement on the Rangers website last month, Green described the SPL Commission as ‘fundamentally misconceived’.

Fancy seeing you here: Former Rangers goalkeeper Bobby Brown (right) meets current No 1 Neil Alexander at the Scottish League Cup quarter-final draw

He also attacked the ‘breathtaking hypocrisy’ of the SPL, claiming deals over the EBT issue were on the table in the summer as part of a plan to have Rangers back in one of the top two divisions.

While insisting he was not questioning the impartiality of the Commission members, Green also said whatever decision they reached would be a ‘decision of the SPL’.

‘I am pleased the judicial panel accepted today that I had not brought the game into disrepute,’ added Green.

‘What I said, I said in good faith and I was speaking up for the interests of Rangers.

‘To be critical of the SPL’s handling of the EBT issue, does not mean that I am showing disrespect for the game and that view appears to have been shared by the judicial panel.

Looking up: Rangers are pushing for promotion

‘It is my hope that we can all move on from today and start working constructively for the good of the game.

‘The creation of the EBT Commission by the SPL following the events of the summer and the club’s attempts at constructive discussion has been particularly difficult for those of us who are new to Rangers and are trying to rebuild the club.

‘It appears for all the world to be yet another obstacle being placed in our path as we try to rebuild a great Scottish sporting institution.

‘I am the first person to accept that there are people who have been associated with Rangers who have brought the game into disrepute, particularly the previous regime, whose delinquent approach to paying taxes triggered a series of events that brought the club to the brink of destruction.

‘The consortium I led came to the table with one objective in mind: to save Rangers Football Club and rebuild what is a great sporting institution.’

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez handed 10,000 fine for Old Trafford outburst

Posted on October 3, 2012 by adminsports

Wigan manager Martinez handed 10,000 fine for Old Trafford outburst

UPDATED:

10:04 GMT, 3 October 2012

Furious: Martinez was disappointed with the officials at Old Trafford

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has been fined 10,000 after admitting a charge of misconduct in relation to comments made after his side's game against Manchester United last month, the Football Association have confirmed.

A statement on the FA website read: 'The charge was in relation to a breach of FA Rule E3 concerning media comments which implied that the match referee and/or match officials in general are motivated by bias and/or brought the game into disrepute.

'Martinez, who had requested a personal hearing, was also warned as to his future conduct.'

The Spaniard was frustrated after his side's 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford, during which England striker Danny Welbeck was awarded a controversial penalty by referee Michael Oliver following what seemed to be minimal contact from Ali Al Habsi.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Martinez said: 'You know what he is trying to do. I have come to United three times before and for whatever reason we don't seem to be measured in the same manner as the team at home.

'Today the penalty is as bad a decision as you are going to see in the Premier League.

'In many ways, you feel as though you are fighting against a mountain.'

Accusation: Martinez said Welbeck dived to win a penalty

Defeat: Wigan were soundly beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford

Anger: Wigan players confront ref Michael Oliver

Rangers boss Ally McCoist handed suspended ban

Posted on August 30, 2012 by adminsports

McCoist escapes with suspended touchline ban for SFA panel comments

UPDATED:

18:37 GMT, 30 August 2012

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has been handed a suspended three-match touchline ban for comments made about the Scottish Football Association judicial panel.

McCoist was found guilty of two of three charges by an SFA fast track tribunal but his punishment is suspended for 12 months.

Chief executive Charles Green escaped with a censure for comments he made in the media claiming 'bigotry' was one of the reasons his newco club were denied entry to the SPL.

Punished: Ally McCoist (centre) has copped a suspended touchline ban

McCoist was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute and not acting in the best interests of football for questioning the independence of the panel that handed Rangers a 12-month transfer embargo in April, before they were consigned to liquidation.

A third charge relating to his demands that the three-man panel's identities were made public was dismissed.

Rangers were censured for Green's comments, made before his newco club made their first appearance on the pitch, in a Ramsdens Cup clash in Brechin last month, since being denied entry to the SPL and voted into the Irn-Bru Third Division.

In response to the transfer ban, which applies after Friday night, McCoist had asked: 'Who are these people I want to know who these people are.

Trouble: Charles Green has also been censured for his comments

'I'm a Rangers supporter and the Rangers supporters and the Scottish public deserve to know who these people are, people who are working for the SFA.

'Make no mistake about it, this is an SFA decision. They have appointed the panel, so therefore they are working for the SFA, but who are they

'I think we have a right to know who is handing out this punishment to us, I really do.'

The three panel members were later given security advice by police following alleged threats. McCoist condemned such behaviour but stood by his calls for transparency.

Green's offending comments came as he discussed decisions made over his club's league status.

'Some of it has been driven by bigotry, some of its been driven by jealousy and some of its been driven by all the wrong motives,' Green said.

Rio Ferdinand fined over Ashley Cole "choc-ice" tweet

Posted on August 17, 2012 by adminsports

Man United star Rio hit with 45,000 fine from FA over Cole 'choc-ice' tweet

UPDATED:

12:43 GMT, 17 August 2012

WHY RIO WAS FINED…

Click here to read the FA's commission's report on Manchester United defender Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has managed to escape a match ban but the Manchester United defender has been hit with a 45,000 fine by the Football Association for his crass tweet aimed at Ashley Cole.

The England international was charged with improper conduct by the FA after he acknowledged a comment on Twitter that referred to the Chelsea defender as a 'choc-ice'.

Sportsmail revealed on Wednesday that Ferdinand – who denied the charge – attended a secret hearing in London last Friday.

Waiting game: Rio Ferdinand (left) is set to discover if he will be punished by the FA

The FA said in a statement: 'Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand has been fined 45,000 after an independent regulatory commission found proven a charge of improper conduct in relation to a comment posted on Twitter.

'The commission decided that the comment was improper and brought the game into disrepute. In addition, the commission found that the breach included a reference to ethnic origin, colour or race.'

Ferdinand's former England team-mate
Cole appeared as a witness for John Terry when the Chelsea defender
appeared in court during the summer charged with making racist comments
to the United man's younger brother Anton.

Evidence: Ashley Cole (right) was called to testify at John Terry's trial

Terry was cleared of the charges but
soon after Ferdinand Snr appeared to endorse a tweet describing Cole as a
'choc ice, a slang term perceived as meaning black on the outside and
white on the inside.

Ferdinand tweeted: 'I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahaha!!'

Users began discussing the comments and reacting to them and Ferdinand wrote: 'And if I want to laugh at something someone tweets….I will! Hahahahaha! Now stop getting ya knickers in a twist!'

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Tag Archives: disrepute

Sam Allardyce charged by FA after comments about referee Phil Dowd

Liverpool youngster Suso fined 10,000 by FA for homophobic Twitter outburst

Luis Suarez storm: Ashley Williams plays down row ahead of Swansea v Liverpool

Mark Clattenburg cleared: Charge Chelsea, says Graham Poll

Chelsea fan accused of monkey taunt says: I"m no racist

Ashley Cole to be charged by FA over Twitter rant

Charles Green defiant after winning disrepute case against SPL

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez handed 10,000 fine for Old Trafford outburst

Rangers boss Ally McCoist handed suspended ban

Rio Ferdinand fined over Ashley Cole "choc-ice" tweet