QPR defender Rio Ferdinand has been given a three-match ban and fined £25,000 by the Football Association over comments he posted on Twitter.

Chelsea v QPR

The 35-year-old former England captain directed a jibe containing a derogatory reference to women at a Twitter follower who criticised him last month.
Ferdinand, who has 5.9million followers on Twitter, has also been ordered to attend an educational programme by the FA and will be suspended for games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle.
A statement from the FA read: “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.”
Ferdinand, who made 81 appearances for England, the last in June 2011, is a member of FA chairman Greg Dyke's commission looking at how to improve English football.