QPR’s Ferdinand handed three-match ban for abusive comment on Twitter

QPR defender Rio Ferdinand has been banned for three matches and fined £25,000 for comments he made on Twitter, the Football Association has announced.

The ex-England captain angrily responded to criticism from a Twitter follower last month by using the word 'sket', which the Collins English Dictionary defines as "a promiscuous girl or woman".

After a Twitter user sent the message "Maybe QPR will sign a good CB (centre-back) they need one", Ferdinand replied by saying "get ya mum in, plays the field well son! #sket''.

The exchange occurred on September 1, but Ferdinand was not charged by the FA until October 14.

The governing body said in a statement on its website: "Queens Park Rangers defender Rio Ferdinand has been suspended for three matches commencing with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, after an FA misconduct charge against him was found proven.

"It was alleged a comment Ferdinand posted on his twitter account was abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper.

"It was further alleged that this breach was aggravated pursuant to FA rule E3(2) as the comment included a reference to gender.

"Following an independent regulatory commission hearing on Wednesday 29 October, Ferdinand was also fined £25,000, severely warned as to his future conduct and ordered to attend an education programme, arranged by the FA within four months."