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UPDATE: Rio Ferdinand defended his Tweet on Sunday morning, claiming it wasn't racist but rather slang

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Rio Ferdinand has re-ignited the racism in football row by seemingly endorsing a Twitter user's racially insensitive insult aimed at Ashley Cole.

The jibe comes a day after Chelsea skipper John Terry was found not guilty of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother Anton.

(Image: Reuters)

But in a statement released this evening, representatives for Cole said he will not be making a complaint.

"Ashley Cole..wishes to make it clear that he and Rio Ferdinand are good friends and (he) has no intention of making any sort of complaint," it read.

"Ashley appreciates that Tweeting is so quick it often results in offhand and stray comments."

Chelsea and England full-back Ashley Cole appeared as witness for the defence in John Terry's trial on Wednesday.

Cole testified that his team-mate was only repeating back the slur that Anton Ferdinand mistakenly thought he had used.

Referencing Cole's role in proceedings, Twitter user @CarltonEBanks sent Rio Ferdinand a public message: "looks like Ashley Cole's going to be their choc ice. Then again he's always been a sellout. Shame on him."

The term 'Choc ice' can be used as a racially insensitive slur aimed at black people who are perceived to have betrayed their ethnicity in some way. The tweeter's attack on Cole is particularly unjustified as the England full back appeared as a "reluctant" witness in the trial.

Ferdinand seemingly endorsed the insult, replying: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahahha!!"

Ferdinand then moved to diffuse the situation by Tweeting about ice cream - "I'm more a cherry brandy man! Used to go for the twisters too back in the day! Classics".

However his next Tweet - "Its Sarcasm!" - contained another reference to the John Terry trial, in which the Chelsea defender claimed he was being sarcastic rather than racist.

Some fans have now accused Rio Ferdinand of using racially insulting language.

Twitter user @MC_CFC1905 reported Ferdinand to the Metropolitan Police's Twitter account, saying: "Can I make a complaint about this Tweet which I find offensive from Rio Ferdinand. Unbelievable from him."

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