Steven Taylor could be charged by the Football Association and fined by Newcastle United after posting a desperately ill-judged picture on Twitter apparently mocking four black team-mates.

Taylor was quick to apologise for his response to a message from Massadio Haïdara, who teased him about his attempts to learn French, and is understood to feel remorseful about a tweet taken in good humour by his black colleagues Papiss Cissé, Vurnon Anita, Moussa Sissoko and Haïdara, but which can be construed as crudely racist.

Retorting to Haïdara's dismissal of his linguistic skills, the centre-half wrote: "It's always good to see you guys smiling" and attached a picture depicting four black faces. One was an actual picture of Anita, the others of individuals wearing a black mask while displaying bright white teeth, what appeared to be an afro wig and perhaps African tribal clothes.

Steven Taylor (@27StevenTaylor) Apologies if my tweet offended anybody.

Although Taylor took the tweet down almost immediately and Haïdara swiftly posted the message. "It's just bander [sic] with Papiss, Massi, Vurn and me. He joke with me 2 minutes before," it provoked some angry responses and went viral on supporter websites.

Taylor wrote another message saying: "Apologies if my tweet offended anybody." He then said sorry to Newcastle and expressed his regret for a thoughtless act meant as a private joke between good friends which was never intended to be racist.

The governing body has contacted Newcastle to ask for the player's explanation. While the FA has given Taylor until Wednesday to respond before deciding on any possible charge, the defender's swift apology and any potential citing of ignorance may prove an inadequate defence.

An extremely popular member of Alan Pardew's squad, Taylor is known as one of the dressing-room practical jokers and club officials have been reassured no one in the squad has taken offence over Friday's tweet.

They are, however, aware the former England Under-21 international – who was called into Roy Hodgson's senior squad for March's World Cup qualifier against San Marino – can be prone to sometimes speaking – or tweeting – before thinking and will duly sit Taylor down for a longer chat next week to remind him of his responsibilities.

Newcastle have strict social media guidelines and, after reiterating the need to set an example to the wider community on issues such as racism, are expected to tell Taylor that, at 27, he needs to exhibit more maturity. It would be a surprise if he were not fined.

t is perhaps ironic that the defender, close to returning to first-team action following a hamstring injury, had volunteered to represent Newcastle at a multi-ethnic commuity event on Friday evening. Despite his idiotic tweet, anyone who has seen Taylor bonding with supporters of all colours, ages and sizes during previous charity functions will be unlikely to judge him too harshly.

Rio Ferdinand was fined £45,000 by the FA last year for using the term "choc ice" on the social media site. When contacted by the Guardian, Kick It Out, the body that challenges discrimination within football, said it was "aware" of the incident and would continue to monitor the situation.

It is understood KIO had noted Taylor's swift apology and that there appeared to have been no malice intended.