RIO FERDINAND APPEARS to have re-opened the row surrounding the John Terry racism case following comments he made on Twitter.
A Twitter user tweeted the Man United defender, describing Chelsea star Ashley Cole as a “sellout” and a “choc ice” for supporting the Chelsea captain during his trial, with Ferdinand responding: “I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahahahha!”
The term choc ice is seen as a derogatory insult that is often used against black people who are regarded as ‘black on the outside, white on the inside’.
Both Rio and his brother Anton had previously been silent since Terry was cleared by District Judge Howard Riddle, refusing to answer reporters’ questions on the verdict.
The controversial tweet has since been deleted, with Ferdinand later tweeting “Its Sarcasm!” and adding:
“And if I want to laugh at something someone tweets….I will! Hahahahaha! Now stop getting ya knickers in a twist!”
Rio Ferdinand’s representatives have since declined to comment on the tweets.
Ashley Cole – the apparent subject of Ferdinand’s ire – described the United defender as “a friend” during the trial.
Meanwhile, a statement released by Cole’s representative following the incident read:
“Ashley Cole… wishes to make it clear that he and Rio Ferdinand are good friends and has no intention of making any sort of complaint. Ashley appreciates that Tweeting is so quick it often results in offhand and stray comments.”
