Rio Ferdinand in tweet row

Rio Ferdinand has defended his response to a tweet which referred to Ashley Cole as a “choc ice”. The Manchester United defender denied it was a racist term saying it was slang for “someone who is being fake”.

Ferdinand laughingly reacted on Twitter after one person sent a tweet to him accusing Cole, who was a defence witness in the John Terry racism trial, of being a “choc ice”. The term is commonly understood to mean “black on the outside, white on the inside”.

The person wrote: “Looks like Ashley Cole’s going to be their choc ice. Then again he’s always been a sell out. Shame on him.”

Ferdinand replied: “I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic! haha!!’’