Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his shock at reports of alleged racist chanting from England fans targeting the centre-back.

Yesterday, it emerged that anti-racism organisation Football Against Racism in Europe lodged a complaint to FIFA over a section of Three Lions supporters allegedly singing racist songs about Ferdinand and his brother Anton.

The chants are thought to have occurred during England's 8-0 win over San Marino on Friday, just days after Ferdinand rejected his first call-up to the squad since June 2011.

Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "You expect+accept banter from fans on the terraces as its part of what makes the game great,but racism is not banter,& from ya own fans. WOW. Always a small minority who ruin it for others.

"Let's not jump to conclusions + assume though as it might just have been banter. We'll see after the investigation."

Ferdinand stated that he could not join up with the England squad due to a strict training regime.