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Ashley Cole admits FA charge in relation to 'bunch of t**ts' tweet

 

Simon Rice
Thursday 11 October 2012 18:40 BST
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Ashley Cole takes instructions from Roy Hodgson
Ashley Cole takes instructions from Roy Hodgson (GETTY IMAGES)

Ashley Cole has admitted a Football Association charge in relation to a tweet in which he labelled the organisation 'a bunch of twats'.

Ashley Cole hit out at the FA last Friday, after it was claimed that his evidence had been changed in the John Terry racism trial.

The FA published its written reasons for an independent commission finding Terry guilty of insulting Anton Ferdinand during a match between Chelsea and QPR at Loftus Road last season.

The Chelsea captain was banned for four-matches and fined £220,000 after the FA found Terry's defence that he had not racially insulted the QPR defender was "improbable, implausible and contrived".

In the written reasons, Cole's statement supporting Terry's version was questioned by the commission.

In response, the former Arsenal defender took to Twitter. "Hahahahaa, well done #fa I lied did I, #BUNCHOFTWATS," he wrote.

Cole deleted the tweet and apologised just hours later, releasing a statement which read: "I had just finished training and saw the captions on the TV screens in the treatment rooms about what was said in the FA Commission ruling about me.

"I was really upset and tweeted my feelings in the heat of the moment. I apologise unreservedly for my comment about the FA."

Cole also apologised personally to FA chairman David Bernstein.

Despite his apology, Cole was charged, and has now admitted the offence. A statement on the FA's website tonight read: "Ashley Cole has admitted an FA charge in relation to a Twitter comment which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

"Cole has requested a non-personal hearing, the date of which has yet to be set."

It is thought Cole could face a record fine for a Twitter related incident.

The Chelsea defender is currently with the England squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.

Despite speculation that he could be dropped, Cole is expected to play a full part in the two games, which if he does will see him reach 100 caps.

Speaking earlier this week Hodgson said: "He's played 98 times (for England) and hardly missed a game when he's fit.

"He has been a regular for many years as one of the best, if not the best, left-back in the world. No-one I don't think who is fair minded could criticise his commitment to the England shirt."

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