Ashley Cole (AFP)

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London - Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has been fined 90 000 pounds ($145 500) by the Football Association for a Twitter insult he aimed at the governing body last week, the FA said in a statement on Thursday.

The England international called the FA a "bunch of t***s" after being accused of "evolving" his statement supporting team-mate John Terry's defence against the charge he racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in a game last October.

Cole removed the tweet within hours of posting it and then apologised unreservedly, including a personal apology to FA chairperson David Bernstein. "Chelsea's Ashley Cole has been fined £90 000 after he admitted an FA charge in relation to a Twitter comment which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute," the FA said.

"Cole, who had requested a non-personal hearing, was also warned as to his future conduct."

Cole won his 99th England cap in their 1-1 draw with Poland in a World Cup qualifier on Wednesday. ($1 = 0.6186 British pounds)