Rio Ferdinand fined by FA for improper conduct over Twitter comment

The England and Manchester United defender has been found guilty by an independent regulatory body regarding Twitter comments made about Ashley Cole

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been fined £45,000 by the Football Association for improper conduct.

According to the FA's website, Ferdinand was found guilty by an independent regulatory commission, for a comment he made on Twitter.

The defender referenced a tweet that had been sent to him labelling Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole a "choc-ice" in light of the left-back's defence of John Terry during the Blues skipper's trial over alleged comments made to Anton Ferdinand.

Sir Alex Ferguson commented on the matter, conceding that the punishment was to be expected and questioning the sense of using the social networking site.

He told reporters: "I think it was almost certain. Twitter, I don't understand it. I don't understand why you'd bother."

	HIS NAME IS RIO
10/1	Rio Ferdinand is 10/1 to score at any time against Everton

The commission decided that the comment that the defender used brought the game into disrepute and included a reference to ethnic origin.

Along with the fine, Ferdinand has been warned of future conduct and the time for appeal against the fine has passed.

Neither Ferdinand or Manchester United have released an official statement on the subject.