ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:RIO FERDINAND has denied an English Football Association charge of improper conduct relating to a comment made on Twitter after the recent trial of John Terry.

Terry was last month acquitted of racially abusing Ferdinands younger brother Anton during a trial at which Ashley Cole, the England international and team-mate of the Chelsea captain, appeared as a defence witness.

The Manchester United defender responded to a tweet that characterised Cole as a choc-ice – a term that can mean “black on the outside, white on the inside” – and had until 4pm yesterday to respond to the FAs charge.

A statement from the FA confirmed: Manchester Uniteds Rio Ferdinand has today denied an FA charge of improper conduct in relation to comments posted on Twitter. The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race. The player has requested a personal hearing.