LONDON — Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was charged by the Football Association (FA) Monday over his foul-mouthed Twitter rant against the governing body. The England international called the FA a “bunch of t***s” Friday after being accused of “evolving” his statement supporting teammate John Terry's defense against the charge he racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a game last October. Cole removed the tweet within hours of posting it and then apologized unreservedly. Cole has until Thursday to respond to the FA charge. The full back has been called up by England for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino Friday and Poland four days later and was set to meet up with the squad Monday. Chelsea is also set to fine Cole, with manager Roberto di Matteo saying the club has launched disciplinary action over the tweet. Cole is currently on national-team duty with England ahead of World Cup qualifiers against San Marino on Friday and Poland next Tuesday. If he plays in both games, he will become the sixth player to make 100 appearances for England. He backed up Terry's defense that a racial slur toward Anton Ferdinand in a Premier League match in October last year was only used to counter an accusation of racism Terry claimed Ferdinand was leveling at him. Cole told Terry's criminal trial in July that he believed he heard Ferdinand use the word “black” during the confrontation — something the QPR player denied saying. Terry was cleared of the criminal charges but found guilty by the FA commission.
Millwall to speak to police
Championship club Millwall will speak to police as they continue to investigate allegations that four Bolton players, including South Korea's Lee Chung-yong, were racially abused during Saturday's match at the Den. Bolton striker Marvin Sordell claimed on Twitter that he was taunted by Millwall fans at the southeast London club Saturday as he warmed up as a substitute. Sordell, who represented Britain at the recent Olympics, alleged that three other Bolton players — Lee, Benik Afobe and Darren Pratley — were also abused while they were warming up. Sordell, who also plays for England under-21s, said on the social networking site: “It's 2012 in England and people are still shouting racial abuse at a football game!? shocking. Chungy, Pratts, Benik and I had all sorts of things said to us. The police were standing yards away and did nothing.” Scotland Yard said no official complaint had been made, but that any allegations would be investigated. A spokesman said: “There has been no complaint made to us, but if any allegation of racist behavior or chanting is made it will be investigated thoroughly.” The FA is looking into the claims and Millwall has called in the police to aid its own investigation. — Agencies
