8 footballers who went bonkers on Twitter

In recent years, it seems as though footballers aren't just restricted to committing howlers on the pitch, but off it as well. 

Their medium of choice? Twitter.  

Here are some memorable ones ...

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Ryan Babel

In January 2011, the former Liverpool midfielder tweeted a picture of referee Howard Webb in a United kit following his side's defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup:

"And they call him one of the best referees? That’s a joke"

Babel's tweeting gaffe earned him a £10,000 (S$20,600) fine by the FA. 

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Federico Macheda

In March 2012, Italian striker Federico Macheda was punished for his homophobic reply to one of his followers:

No surprise, the former United striker copped a £15,000 fine. 

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​Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand's recent three-match ban for his derogatory tweet towards women wasn't the first time the defender has got into hot soup. The centre-back faced disciplinary action when he acknowledged a racially offensive tweet referring Ashley Cole as "Choc Ice" back in August 2012:

"I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahaha!!"

Ferdinand was handed a hefty £45,000 fine for improper conduct.

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Wojciech Szczesny 

In 2012, the Arsenal goalkeeper landed himself in trouble when he tweeted a tongue in cheek reply to his teammate Aaron Ramsey in jest:

"@aaronjramsay I don't wanna be rude mate but you look like a rapist on that picture! lol"

He later added:

"@aaronjramsay Looking like a rapist/pedofile isn't a good thing either ;)"   (sic)

The Polish footballer was handed a warning from his club.

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Carlton Cole

The West Ham forward was left facing the music from the FA after an offensive tweet relating to an England vs Ghana friendly in April 2012:

"Immigration has surrounded the Wembley premises! I knew it was a trap! Hahahaha"

He added:

"The only way to get out safely is to wear an England jersey and paint your face with the St George’s flag!"

Cole, who later mentioned that his tweet only meant to be a joke, was slapped with a £20,000 fine from the unamused FA.

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Darren Bent

In July 2009, Bent took his frustration to Twitter after transfer talks with Sunderland reached an impasse:

"Do I wanna go Hull City NO. Do I wanna go Stoke NO do I wanna go Sunderland YES so stop f****** around levy."

Bent's rant against Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy copped him a substantial £120,000 fine from the club.

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Joey Barton

No stranger to controversy, Barton went on a verbal onslaught against pundits Alan Shearer, Alan Hansen and Gary Lineker after he was criticised during QPR's 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in 2012:

"Shearers still on my case... I know I f***** up Alan, thanks for stating the obvious."

"Whilst were both stating the obvious about each other, can I just say for the record what a great player u were. Well better me..."

"But I have better hair (which is not hard), wear well better shirts on TV and have a personality (something u lack)."

He went on and on but escaped punishment for his strongly-worded tweets. 

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Ashley Cole

In a response surrounding the FA's judgement on teammate John Terry's racism case in October 2012, Cole said:

"Hahahahaa, well done #fa I lied did I, #BUNCHOFT***S" 

The FA responded to Cole with a £90,000 fine.

Source: Mail Online, Bleacher Report, The World Game SBS