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Manchester United centre back Rio Ferdinand has been charged with improper conduct by the FA following his now infamous public endorsement of a Twitter user's 'choc ice' comment towards Chelsea left back Ashley Cole in the aftermath of the John Terry trial. Despite the defender's attempts to backtrack, he now faces what look like some reasonably serious charges:
The FA has today charged Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand with improper conduct in relation to comments posted on Twitter.
The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/or bought the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.
Ferdinand has until 4pm on 2 August 2012 to respond to the charge.
Cole's lawyers have said that the (black) Chelsea player, who supported John Terry in his trial over the alleged racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand, Rio's bother, has no interest in pursuing legal action, but that doesn't stop the FA from stepping in here. Their investigation towards Terry's comments towards Anton Ferdinand remains ongoing.
Remember kids: Don't say racist things on Twitter. Bad things happen when you do.