Chelsea to discipline Ashley Cole over abusive tweet

Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo confirmed disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Ashley Cole following the abusive comment he made about the Football Association on Twitter.

The FA's three-man panel had released a 63-page statement on Friday outlining why Chelsea captain John Terry had been banned for four games and fined £220,000 (HK2.75 million) for racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during a game last season.

The report, which made its findings on the balance of probabilities, suggested the evidence produced by both Chelsea players had been untruthful. Cole, who had been a witness on Terry's behalf, reacted angrily on hearing the verdict before deleting the tweet and apologising through his lawyer.

The FA is set to take action against Cole and Di Matteo confirmed the club was doing likewise, although no confirmation was made on whether he will be fined.

"We have got a social media policy in the club and there is going to be a disciplinary process action against the tweet," Di Matteo said.

"I am in favour of social media - they just have to be used sensibly. It is in the world we live in and as long as it is used with responsibility it is a good way to communicate. If players breach a rule that we have, then there are going to be some consequences. We have rules and if they break them there is a consequence."