It hasn't been the best of times for Rio Ferdinand these past couple of years.
The former Manchester United defender is never short of something to say on social media, but he may have to watch what he says in future after the FA came down hard on him for comments he made recently on Twitter.
The FA hit Ferdinand with a £25,000 fine and a three match ban and released a statement on the matter this evening, which read: “Queens Park Rangers defender Rio Ferdinand has been suspended for three matches commencing with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, after an FA misconduct charge against him was found proven.
“It was alleged a comment Ferdinand posted on his twitter account was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper.
“It was further alleged that this breach was aggravated pursuant to FA Rule E3(2) as the comment included a reference to gender.
“Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Wednesday 29 October, Ferdinand was also fined £25,000, severely warned as to his future conduct and ordered to attend an education programme, arranged by The FA within four months.”
The offending tweet, where he responded disparagingly to a tweet from someone questioning his role at QPR, included the slang term ‘sket’, which, according to Collins’ Dictionary, refers to a 'promiscuous woman or girl'.
Left out of the team by Harry Redknapp recently and hoping for a recall soon, this ban hasn't come at a particularly opportune time for Ferdinand, who'll have even more time on his hands than he would wish in the coming weeks.
