Chelsea and England defender Bertrand to avoid FA punishment for offensive tweet
Ryan Bertrand is not expected to face disciplinary action after issuing a foul-mouthed message on Twitter, the Daily Telegraph has reported, but the Football Association will speak with the Chelsea and England full-back.
Bertrand reacted to media reports that he had pulled out of the England squad to play San Marino with a sore throat by seeking to clarify that he had an illness more severe than a simple sore throat. But in doing so, Bertrand used a hashtag containing an expletive, the same day as his Chelsea and England teammate Ashley Cole admitted an FA charge for a similar offence.
The 23-year-old’s outburst comes in the same week the FA chairman, David Bernstein, announced the implementation of a code of conduct for England footballers, including rules on their use of Twitter and punishments for any indiscretions.
Bertrand is nevertheless expected to escape sanction for a lesser offence than Cole, while Bertrand’s speedy deletion of the offending tweet and subsequent apology are also factors in his favour.
England manager Roy Hodgson said on the matter: “I think his sentiments were laudable, in telling you how much he wants to play for England, but his choice of words was wrong.”
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