Police have begun an investigation into alleged racist comments targeted towards Chelsea defender Ashley Cole.

The comments in question refer to the term 'choc ice', which was highlighted by Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand on Twitter after the centre-back retweeted a comment made by a user of the social network site.

The insult, which is deemed to mean 'black on the outside and white on the inside', was posted following Chelsea captain John Terry's acquittal of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother Anton, where Cole spoke as a witness for the defence.

The tweet in question was sent by @CarltonEBanks, and said: "looks like Ashley Cole's going to be their choc ice. Then again he's always been a sellout. Shame on him."

Ferdinand responded saying: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahahahha!!"

Following a number of complaints, the authorities have decided to launch an investigation into the original comment.