Cole faces penalty over ‘abusive’ tweet

London, March 4 : West Ham striker Carlton Cole faces a charge from the Football Association (FA) over an abusive Twitter reply to a Spurs fan following a February 22 English Premier League game.

The former England striker gave a foul-mouthed response to a tweet by a Spurs fan after the game ended 2-2, reports Xinhua.

"It is alleged that the comment was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brings the game into disrepute," the FA said in a statement. It is not the first time that Cole has been in hot water over improper tweets.

He was fined around $30,000 by the FA in 2011 for a tweet he posted during England's friendly game 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!"