The West Ham striker Carlton Cole has been charged with posting a comment on social media which “was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brings the game into disrepute”, the Football Association has announced.
The charge is thought to relate a comment he posted in response to a Twitter user following West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on 22 February.
Stuart Hardy, a Spurs supporter, sent him the message: “Hi @CarltonCole1 when your own team-mates don’t kick the ball out when you’re lying injured for 2 mins, you think it’s time to call it a day?” to which Cole replied “Fuck off you cunt” befrore later deleting the message. He has been given until 6pm on Friday to respond to the charge.
If found guilty, the former England striker could be set for as hefty fine having already fallen foul of the FA’s guidelines on social media. Cole was fined £20,000 in 2011 for a tweet he posted during England’s friendly against Ghana that read: “Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap!
“The only way to get out safely is to wear an England jersey and paint your face w/ the St George’s flag!”
