Babel charged by FA over Twitter jibe

The Football Association have charged Ryan Babel with improper conduct after the Liverpool forward posted a mocked up picture of referee Howard Webb in a Manchester United jersey on Twitter.

Babel posted the picture on the social networking site following Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup and added: "And they call him one of the best referees? That's a joke. SMH (shaking my head)."

Babel was reacting to Webb’s performance on Sunday afternoon, when he awarded United a dubious early penalty and issued a red card to Reds captain Steven Gerrard for a two-footed lunge on Michael Carrick.

Babel later removed the posts and apologised for his actions saying: "My apology if they take my posted pic seriously. This is just an emotional reaction after losing an important game.

"Sorry Howard Webb."

Babel did go on to make a mockery of the whole situation on his account, however, with posts suggesting that he would be sent to ‘Twitterjail’ and that the ‘Twitpolice’ will be arriving in ten minutes, because of his original posts.

Babel has until 4pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said earlier he felt it was just a joke and had hoped that further action would not need to be taken.

"Maybe I've been out of the game too long but let's see if they can find a sense of humour," he said.

"He apologised straight away."

And Dalglish joked: "I don't think he's clever enough technically to have drawn that up himself."