Police investigate 'choc-ice' slur against Cole
Reuters - Tuesday 17 July 2012, 13:29
Derbyshire Police said on Tuesday they
are investigating alleged racist comments made on Twitter
involving Chelsea player Ashley Cole and Manchester United
defender Rio Ferdinand.
Cole, who gave evidence at team mate John Terry's racism
trial last week, was labeled 'choc-ice' by a Twitter user
thought to live in Britain.
The user posted a message to 33-year-old Ferdinand shortly
after Terry had been cleared of a racially aggravated public
order offence at Westminster Magistrates' Court last week.
Former England captain Terry was accused of abusing
Ferdinand's younger brother Anton during a Premier League match
between Chelsea and QPR.
"Looks like Ashley Cole's going to be their choc ice," said
a tweet directed to Ferdinand.
"Then again he's always been a sell out. Shame on him."
Ferdinand replied with: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is
classic! hahahahahahha!!"
The term 'choc-ice' is understood to have racial
connotations meaning a person is 'black on the outside' and
'white on the inside'.
Ferdinand deleted the post but it was captured by Twitter
users who spread it across the social networking site.
He defended his actions claiming the tweets were 'slang' for
someone who is acting 'fake'.
"What I said yesterday is not a racist term. It's a type of
slang/term used by many for someone who is being fake. So
there," he posted.
Complaints have since been filed by the public to Derbyshire
Constabulary who issued a statement confirming they were
investigating alleged racist comments directed at Cole.
"Derbyshire Constabulary has received complaints from
members of the public regarding alleged racist comments made on
a social networking site," a statement said on Tuesday.
"These concerns will be fully investigated to establish
whether any criminal offences have been committed."